SKYBER Aerospace partners with Dubai-based Sibia to meet growing UAV demand in Middle East and Africa

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) provider SKYBER Aerospace has entered into a multi-year partnership with Dubai-based Sibia Technologies to address the rising demand for UAV systems in the Middle East and Africa (MEA).

This collaboration aims to deliver UAV systems for defence and commercial sectors, with a focus on localizing operations to meet regional needs. The partnership will cover key areas such as product sales, service, maintenance, training, and technology integration.

Addressing regional defence and commercial needs

The partnership aligns with the MEA region's growing need for UAV technologies, driven by increased defence budgets and investments in sectors such as oil and gas, agriculture, and construction.

SKYBER Aerospace will focus on supplying advanced UAV systems, while Sibia Technologies will handle local operations, including sales, customer relations, and logistics.

According to forecasts, the MEA UAV market is expected to reach $5.3 billion by 2029, presenting significant opportunities for both companies. 

Joseph George, the CEO and co-founder of SKYBER Aerospace, highlighted the partnership's importance, stating, “Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and parts of Africa are expected to be significant consumers of UAV technology due to their increasing defense budgets, need for border security, and investments in modern technology for commercial sectors.”

Aiming to secure large defence contracts.

The partnership aims to secure large Defense contracts, address commercial needs in the oil and gas, construction, and agriculture sectors, and maintain technological leadership in UAV solutions.

Sibia Technologies will leverage its existing partnerships with the leading telecom operators in the Middle East and Africa region to enable UAV solutions using public and private 5G networks.

“We are happy to announce this partnership with SKYBER Aerospace. It’s a symbiotic relationship where companies leverage their strengths to grow in a competitive market. We will be taking an integrated role in delivering the UAV systems and managing post-sale services like training operators, providing support services, performing post-sales engineering support, and ensuring regulatory compliance,” said Nour Al Atassi, CEO of Sibia Technologies.

Enhanced local support and training

The partnership will focus on localizing services to ensure that clients in the MEA region receive high-quality support. Sibia Technologies will establish training centres to help operators improve their UAV skills, ensuring safer and more efficient use of the systems.

Additionally, the partnership will provide faster response times, on-ground maintenance, and easier access to spare parts, reducing operational downtime.

The partnership aims to reduce potential hurdles and make UAV solutions more cost-effective by helping clients navigate local UAV regulations and acquire necessary permits.

This focus on localized support is expected to improve the overall customer experience and satisfaction in the MEA region.

Developing fully autonomous drones

Looking ahead, the partnership between SKYBER Aerospace and Sibia Technologies plans to introduce cutting-edge innovations in UAV technology.

This includes the development of fully autonomous drones with AI-powered navigation and decision-making systems. These advancements will cater to the region’s military and security needs, particularly for surveillance and border protection.

Both companies are also exploring new technologies, such as drone swarming, which could be used in defence operations, disaster response, and large-scale surveillance.

In addition to defence applications, the companies are also working on precision agriculture, construction monitoring, and cargo transport, further diversifying the use cases for UAV technology in the region.