Space42 and Leonardo DRS Sign MoU to Advance National Security Mission Systems

UAE-based SpaceTech company Space42 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Leonardo DRS to explore the integration of advanced mission systems with secure satellite connectivity for national security applications in the UAE.

The collaboration establishes a framework for combining Leonardo DRS’s expertise in C5ISR mission systems with Space42’s secure, AI-enabled satellite communications and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) connectivity. The companies will explore the joint design and integration of next-generation mission capabilities aimed at strengthening sovereign security and operational resilience.

Ahmed AlMehrzi, Chief Commercial Officer – Government at Space42, said the partnership supports the company’s strategy of becoming a trusted provider of secure, mission-ready connectivity. He noted that combining Space42’s sovereign satellite infrastructure and AI-enabled communications with Leonardo DRS’s mission systems could strengthen protected communications for the UAE’s national security ecosystem.

Denny Crumley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Leonardo DRS Land Electronics business unit, said the MoU represents an important step in supporting the UAE’s national security priorities through integrated technologies and strategic international partnerships.

Combining Secure Connectivity and Mission Systems

The proposed collaboration comes as national security operations become increasingly interconnected and reliant on secure communications, real-time information and advanced situational awareness.

Under the agreement, Leonardo DRS will contribute its capabilities in C5ISR mission systems, including mission management, network computing and vehicle integration technologies. Space42 will complement these capabilities with sovereign satellite communications, AI-enabled connectivity and BLOS services designed to extend secure communications beyond conventional terrestrial networks.

The companies will examine how these technologies can be integrated to support mission-critical operations and improve access to secure information in complex environments.

Leonardo DRS provides advanced technologies including tactical computing, smart displays, AI-enabled processing and integrated C4/C5/C6ISR solutions for military and allied forces. Its systems are designed to provide real-time situational awareness while supporting scalable, platform-agnostic and open-architecture deployments.

For Space42, the agreement further expands its focus on secure satellite connectivity and space-enabled solutions for government and national security applications. The partnership could contribute to the development of resilient communications infrastructure capable of supporting UAE operations in environments where terrestrial connectivity may be limited or unavailable.

The MoU provides a framework for further collaboration as both companies assess potential opportunities to develop integrated mission capabilities supporting the UAE’s evolving national security requirements.