Strata, the advanced composites aerostucture plant constructed in Al Ain, will start its production and deliver the first composite part in the first half of 2010, a senior Mubadala official told Gulf News.
In an interview, Humaid Al Shemmari, Associate Director of Mubadala Aerospace, said: "The first part of the Strata production line will be delivered by the first half of 2010."
During the air show, Mubadala signed two agreements with Airbus and Boeing to develop aircraft components that will help it to become a Tier 1 supplier of parts for both manufacturers.
Al Shemmari did not disclose the details of which components will be initially manufactured by Strata.
"Mubadala Aerospace has a very aggressive target to achieve. In two years' time we are looking at the UAE as a global hub of the aerospace industry," he said.
"This mission will help to expand the economic base of the country and contribute to the growth and diversification of the Abu Dhabi economy."
Mubadala Aeorospace is part of Mubadala Development Company, an investment arm of the Government of Abu Dhabi.
Al Shemmari said: "We are very ambitious and looking to have our first indigenous business jet in 2018, which will be a landmark in the aerospace industry."
Although nine years is a short time for this extensive work, Mubadala has one of the fastest industrial development plans in the aerospace sector, he said.
"However, to reach this target we have lots of work and long-term strategic plans to get deeply involved in the aerospace industry.
"First, we should work to become part of the global aviation supply chain with the help of our leading partners in the aerospace industry sector, Airbus and Boeing."
Airbus and Mubadala have signed two agreements for the manufacture of aileron composite panels and the production of assembled aileron shipsets for the A330/A340 aircraft series.
Revenues
The cooperation is expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue for Mubadala Aerospace over 10 years.
The two agreements represent the first work packages directly from Airbus under an agreement signed in November 2008. Production will commence in 2011 in Al Ain.
Al Shemmari said: "We are going to invest in infrastructure, composite manufacturing, an engineering centre, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), human resources development, and a research centre which will provide substantial value and technological capability. All this is a talent which we should acquire from our partners."
Mubadala will also implement an educational framework in UAE University, Khalifa University and Higher Colleges of Technology. – Gulf News
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