Israeli Elta Subsidiary Advances to Final Stage in Dubai Metro Operation Tender

Elta, an Israeli company jointly owned by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Malam-Team Group, has reached the final stage in the tender to operate and maintain Dubai's new Blue Metro Line, a project valued at over $2 billion. The metro line is a major civilian infrastructure project scheduled to begin operations in 2029. Winning the tender would establish Elta in a long-term role within one of the Gulf's most advanced transportation markets.

Elta is competing through its subsidiary T&E Technologies as part of a consortium that includes the local Emirati group Al Shafar and the Indian Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is managing the tender process, which has narrowed down to three competing groups, with the other two yet unidentified. The winning consortium is expected to be announced by the end of the year.

Construction of the Blue Line is already underway, with RTA selecting a consortium of Turkish companies MAPA and LIMA, alongside Chinese rail giant CRRC, in December 2024 to lead the line's design. A senior source told Calcalist that the final contract value for operation and maintenance could exceed $2 billion, depending on the contract duration.

Within the consortium, DMRC brings extensive operational experience in metro systems, including workforce management, passenger services, ticketing, security, and daily operations. Al Shafar contributes local market knowledge and strong institutional connections in the UAE. Elta’s role focuses on the technological maintenance of all systems along the metro line.

Until recently, Elta was a subsidiary of Elta Systems, itself under IAI. Last month, IAI’s board approved merging Elta Systems into IAI, making it one of IAI’s four main business divisions. This move aims to streamline operations and eliminate redundancies, according to IAI and the Israeli Government Companies Authority.