We Are Houbara
Established provider of unmanned targets for training, test and evaluation; secured satellite communications systems; and explosive ordinance disposal robots.
Houbara Defence and Security is the UAE’s leading provider of threat representation products and supporting services.
What We Do
A UAE company, based on a joint venture between Middle East General Enterprises (MGE) and QinetiQ plc. Houbara provides UAE and regional customers with enduring access in three capability areas:
Comprehensive Threat Representation. Providing highly realistic target systems, with supporting services, for training and test in the air and maritime domains.
Training, Test & Evaluation Expertise. Drawing upon QinetiQ’s world -renowned heritage, with access to over 6,000 subject matter experts globally - to enhance and assure complex military capabilities.
Mission Critical Products. Direct access to QinetiQ’s portfolio of operationally proven products - ranging from EOD & ISR Robots to secure SATCOM Push-to-Talk systems.
Middle East General Enterprises
Middle East General Enterprises (MGE) are a diversified holding company with business interests across multiple markets. As a family run company with deep historical ties to the UAE and wider MENA region, MGE supports existing partners to grow and diversify their business in the UAE and across the Middle East region.
MGE’s current investment areas and market expertise include the logistics, oil and gas, energy, business creation and the aerospace and defence sectors.
QinetiQ
QinetiQ is a company of over 6,000 scientists and engineers, dedicated to being on the side of their customers. We offer our customers world-class expertise in advice, services (particularly test and evaluation) and innovative technology-based products.
We deploy our scientific and technological knowledge, proven research capabilities and unique, purpose-built facilities to provide both services and products that meet the needs of a wide range of global customers. We operate primarily in the defence, security and critical national infrastructure markets.
We are named after the Houbara Bustard, a migratory prey bird whose different species are native to parts of North Africa, Arabia and Asia. Historically Houbara were hunted using Falcons or “Shaheen” in Arabic.
As a UAE company, we wanted to acknowledge this Arabic tradition as “Shaheen” is also the name given to the aircraft which hunt our unmanned targets (our Houbara’s) during training exercises.
Today many Houbara species are listed as endangered and hunting them is illegal in many countries. Global efforts to preserve the Houbara are underway, led by organisations such as the UAE’s International Fund For Houbara Conservation (IFHC).
What’s a Houbara?
Do you want to know more about us?