Investment firm Sahra Group is planning to build a new Dh180m ($50m) Security and Rescue Training Center (SRTC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The facility, which developers state is the first of its kind globally, is planned to officially open in the first half of 2028.
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Sahra Group’s SRTC is expected to serve up to 4,500 personnel each year, focusing on advanced training for militaries, special forces, police, Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS), and emergency response teams from regional and international organisations.
In partnership with AMST Group, a company specialising in aircrew training and simulation, Sahra Group will construct and operate what it describes is the “only commercial capability” globally to combine high-fidelity simulation environments for both helicopter emergency response and OPITO Training.
The centre aims to facilitate realistic, scenario-based training for a range of high-risk operations, including helicopter hoist systems, fast roping and rappelling, helicopter underwater egress, and maritime vessel simulations.
The SRTC’s infrastructure will include helicopter simulators mounted on cranes, fast vessel simulators, and a specialised pool for water rescue and emergency egress.
Participants will conduct training exercises under simulated conditions such as darkness, noise, and rotor downwash, enabling them to prepare for the challenges found in live operations.
The centre will operate around the clock, providing training for responses to medical emergencies, water rescues, disasters, special forces activities, and high-speed boat operations.
By using simulated environments, the centre allows organisations to complete complex training without deploying live operational assets, which also reduces associated costs.
The SRTC will support military, navy, special forces, civil defence, police, coast guard, medical and fire services, as well as clients from tourism, oil, gas, and energy sectors.
It will serve as a regional base of operations in disaster management, positioning helicopters and emergency response as critical infrastructure for both the UAE and the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Sahra Group CEO Jamal Alkaf said: “This facility represents a significant investment in the future of mission-critical training and positions the UAE at the forefront of global capability development, especially for defence. As the first facility of its kind, it brings together advanced simulation, integrated environments, and full-spectrum training in a way that simply does not exist today.
“Beyond its immediate impact, the SRTC is designed as a scalable platform for growth – capable of expanding its training offerings, technologies, and international partnerships over time.”
