The Global Aerospace Industry Depends on Trusted Middle Eastern Partners

When it comes to aerospace security, especially with today’s growing emphasis on domestically owned and operated enterprises, the large factories of Washington State, the aerospace hubs of Toulouse, and the advanced manufacturing centres of Japan may be the first places that come to mind. 

Yet alongside defense spending and domestic manufacturing, the aerospace industry increasingly depends on a network of trusted international partners, many of which are based in the Middle East.

Aviation and aerospace technology firms in the region have become increasingly important participants in global supply chains, with roles spanning passenger and cargo transport, aircraft maintenance, advanced manufacturing, IT support, and cloud services. United Arab Emirates-based Strata Manufacturing is a reliable producer of composite structures for Boeing. Jordan and UAE-based Aerospace Technical Services (ATS) provides maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for the industry. And until 2019 Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) was a central partner in the F-35 Lightning II program. America’s aerospace ecosystem derives strength from such diversification, extending its reach far beyond national borders.

The emergence of Middle Eastern and, more specifically, Gulf-based aerospace firms result in large part from these countries’ proactive efforts, investing billions of dollars into manufacturing and maintenance infrastructure as well as research and development in cutting edge areas such as artificial intelligence. The UAE’s sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala, for example, specifically sought to create infrastructure that could integrate into global supply chains. For American firms looking to diversify, the Middle East has provided not only advantageous geographic connectivity but also tax benefits, ease of doing business, access to capital, and a skilled workforce.

The intensifying geopolitical competition between the U.S. and its rivals and the supply chain disruptions of the past few years have only increased the value of trusted Middle Eastern partners, capable of ensuring that components, expertise, and maintenance services remain available even when shocks affect supplies based in other regions of the world. Diversification in this context does not present an inefficiency, but rather a strategic asset for aerospace security.

At the same time, however, the very companies that have served as the backbone of this international network have become increasingly vulnerable to reputational challenges as a result of geopolitical developments. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the consequent imposition of international sanctions on Moscow placed aerospace firms in the Middle East in an unenviable position. As the producers of dual-use technologies and with business ties spanning the world, including Russia, they have sometimes, and often unjustifiably, come in the crossfire of allegations concerning continued business dealings with Moscow.

Turkish Airlines, Emirates and other Gulf carriers have faced Western criticism for maintaining air links and business ties to Russia, even though such activities did not constitute a violation of sanctions. Dubai-based logistics company DP World also became associated with geopolitical controversies due to its global footprint and cargo dealings with Moscow. Aerospace Technical Services (ATS) was recently challenged, likely by rival entities in a highly competitive market, with allegations of selling aircraft parts and sensitive technology to Russia. Although the accusations, which were made public in a series of later retracted articles, were determined to be false, the mere suggestion of sanctions violations caused reputational damage to Aerospace Technical Services (ATS) and its CEO Mahdi Suliman Hamed Al Tahaineh. Several other UAE-based firms have faced investigation by advocacy groups examining trade activities linked to Russia, none of which resulted in legal action.

Naturally, companies operating in a sensitive field like the aerospace industry anticipate scrutiny, and strong compliance systems have proven essential to maintaining the trust of international partners. Nevertheless, the past few years of the Russia-Ukraine war have demonstrated that trusted industrial relationships can be negatively affected by unverified claims or misinformation. Unsubstantiated accusations, inaccurate and incomplete information can circulate at great speed on online platforms, influencing public opinion long before official responses or findings emerge.

Given the impact that even temporary reputational damage can have on critical and sensitive sectors, the international business community must make it a top priority to differentiate between legitimate violations of sanctions and unfounded allegations, ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in evidence and thoughtful regulatory review. As the global aerospace industry increasingly depends on its network of international manufacturers and service providers, it must protect those relationships with the same effort that companies like DP World and CEOs like Mahdi Suliman Hamed Al Tahaineh invest in maintaining public trust and warding off unfair reputational damage.