Boeing joins Mubadala in five-year research venture

Above, workers assemble 777 aircraft at Boeing's assembly facility in Everett, Washington. Mike Kane / Bloomberg via Getty Images

Mubadala, the Abu Dhabi-­owned investment company, yesterday signed a five-year research and development agreement with Boeing.

The two companies said they would cooperate on robotics and aircraft assembly research.

Boeing will conduct research at the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology and at Khalifa University.

In November 2013, Mubadala signed a deal with Boeing to sell up to US$2.5 billion in composites to the aircraft manufacturer for aircraft, including the 777X and 787 Dreamliner.

The previous year, the Muba­dala subsidiary Strata Man­u­fac­tur­ing signed a $1bn, 10-year deal with Boeing for the construction of parts for the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner at its Al Ain manufacturing facility.

The UAE’s defence offsets policy means the foreign suppliers to the government must contribute economically to the country beyond the sale of equipment.

“As we look to support Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification efforts and build a know­ledge-based economy across the UAE, the development of new technology is crucial for a long-term sustainable industry,” said Homaid Al Shemmari, the chief executive of aerospace and engineering at Mubadala.

“This agreement positions us for further collaboration in research and development, especially as Strata steadily matures its business with Boeing.”

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