Abu Dhabi has unveiled a groundbreaking new facility, marking the Middle East and North Africa's (MENA) first dedicated production hub for high-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Operated by Mira Aerospace, a subsidiary of Space42, the state-of-the-art plant will manufacture over 20 advanced drones designed for civil, environmental, and defense applications.

The expansive 4,500-square-meter High-Altitude Aerial Platform (HAPS) facility represents a major leap forward in regional aerospace capabilities. This strategic initiative aligns with the UAE's National Space Strategy 2030 objectives to strengthen sovereign expertise in space technology and advanced manufacturing.

"Global demand for HAPS solutions is accelerating exponentially," said Khaled Al Marzouqi, CEO of Mira Aerospace. "Through targeted investments like this facility, Space42 is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformative technology sector."

The launch underscores Abu Dhabi's growing prominence in next-generation aerospace innovation. Space42 holds the distinction of being the first company worldwide to successfully demonstrate stratospheric 5G connectivity using heavier-than-air platforms - a technological breakthrough with far-reaching implications for global communications infrastructure.

Strategic Partnerships Advance Testing Capabilities

Earlier this year in February 2026, Space42 forged an important collaboration with Maydan X to create a permanent testing center specializing in high-altitude endurance drone flights. This complements their October 2024 achievement of developing two sophisticated payload systems supporting critical applications including:

• Environmental monitoring and climate research
• Disaster response coordination
• Precision urban development planning
• Smart agriculture optimization

The facility represents more than just physical infrastructure - it embodies the Emirates' commitment to building sustainable technological leadership that will shape regional capabilities for decades to come. Industry analysts note that such sovereign manufacturing capacity provides strategic advantages, from enhanced security applications to improved emergency response systems during natural disasters. As test flights commence later this year, all eyes will be on how these high-flying platforms perform under Middle Eastern conditions, potentially setting new benchmarks for stratospheric operations worldwide.