UAE approves space roadmap, boosts defence

The Cabinet meeting formally endorsed a national space strategy framed for the next five years and referred to in reporting as the National Space Strategy 2031. (sharjah24.ae)) Officials placed a current market valuation of the UAE space sector at more than AED 44 billion and said the ecosystem now includes over 170 scientific, national and commercial entities. (gulfnews.com)) UAE ministers highlighted a tally of 30 launched satellites, an established national astronaut programme, and approved plans for new missions that include a Venus target and an expedition to the asteroid belt. (gulfnews.com)) The same Cabinet session approved a package of international partnerships and other national strategies — reporting referenced roughly 120 international agreements and an integrative medicine strategy among the approvals. (thebrewnews.com)) On defence, the Cabinet publicly praised the “heroic defence spirit” and high readiness of the UAE Armed Forces, with the meeting attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Maktoum and senior security ministers. (wam.ae)) Separately, the UAE Defence Council in early 2026 reviewed modernisation plans focused on adopting advanced technologies and programs to boost institutional efficiency and operational readiness. (emiratitimes.com)) The space roadmap was presented as a continuation of the UAE’s earlier National Space Strategy 2030 and references Agency projects including an Emirates mission to the asteroid belt slated in agency materials for a 2028-era launch window. (space.gov.ae))