News

2023-03-22

EDGE Launches 14 Products, Signs Deals worth AED 18.6b

EDGE, one of the world’s fastest growing and leading advanced technology and defence groups, concluded its participation at IDEX 2023, launching 14 new products, including 11 breakthrough autonomous and unmanned products and solutions, and signing new contracts and deals worth AED 18.6 billion, of which AED 4 billion was in international export deals.

Several partnerships and agreements were signed with leading original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), defence and technology companies, and suppliers.

Major deals signed at the event included a landmark EUR 1 billion export deal with the Angolan Navy to build and export a fleet of best-in-class 71 metre corvettes, and major contracts worth over AED9 billion with the UAE Armed Forces for EDGE’s Thunder and Desert Sting 25 Precision-Guided Munitions; Shadow 25 and Shadow 50, and Hunter Loitering Munitions; and a contract valued at AED 4 billion to provide tactical communications and data-link solutions to the UAE Armed Forces.

EDGE also signed over 20 agreements and joint ventures with several major industry players including Raytheon Emirates, ICOMM, John Cockerill, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, HAL, L3Harris, and Fincantieri, among others.

Also included on the EDGE stand were new companies in which it has recently acquired major shareholdings, including autonomous solutions specialist High Lander, Milrem Robotics, Europe’s leader in the fields of robotics and autonomous systems, in which EDGE has a controlling share, and Abu Dhabi-based Gradeone Group, which specialises in providing military hardware, equipment, pyrotechnics, ammunition, and supplies to various military, law enforcement and rescue services.

Mansour AlMulla, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, said: “The great success of IDEX 2023 is evidence of the continued innovation of the defence sector, and the huge strides EDGE has made over the last three years. EDGE continues to disrupt the industry, pushing the boundaries of advanced technology across multiple domains with a focus on autonomous capabilities, smart weapons, and electronic warfare — all areas in which EDGE is rapidly becoming recognised as a global leader. The 14 cutting-edge products we have launched, and the large multi-billion dollar national and international contracts and deals signed are a clear indication that we are on the right trajectory to achieving our goals and ambitions as we bolster our sovereign capabilities and increase our global footprint through exports.”

Upgraded LRSOV

EDGE entity NIMR, a leading manufacturer of combat-proven wheeled military vehicles, launched an upgraded version of its Long Range Security Operations Vehicles (LRSOV) at IDEX 2023.

The upgraded LRSOV features a high strength rollover protection system, front and rear underslung capability, adaptive roof ring mounting, and removable and foldable roof structure for ease of transportation. Delivering exceptional off-road performance, the LRSOV is especially suited to long range reconnaissance missions typically undertaken by Special Forces.

Following the delivery of one ‘golden unit’ vehicle which performed exceptionally well during multiple trials and tests, NIMR signed a follow-on contract as the leading armoured vehicles manufacturer to build and deliver 10 LRSOVs by the end of 2023.

Immersive VR Training

EDGE Group entity, Jaheziya, a single-stop service provider for defence solutions and emergency response services, and Evolution XR, a UK-based organisation providing effective, practical and realistic virtual content, signed a partnership to develop a provision of bespoke, virtual and augmented reality emergency response training solutions for the GCC.

The immersive training programmes will allow delegates to execute relevant emergency scenarios, ranging from minor to major, ensuring learners designate appropriate response levels at each incident stage.

Generation of learning points and dangerous scenario replication are carried out alongside clients. Through the learning point system, delegates will understand why certain actions are dangerous during an emergency response scenario, as well as any consequences that follow.

Tie-up on Maintenance

Al Taif, the UAE’s leading provider of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services for military equipment, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with L3Harris International, Inc., a subsidiary of L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

The two organisations will collaborate to identify potential business opportunities within the communications portfolio, as well as its respective maintenance, in the UAE and with other regional partner nations.

Saif Al Dahbashi, CEO of Al Taif, said: “Al Taif’s holistic MRO offering and extensive technical curriculum positions it as an ideal recurrent partner for L3Harris.”

Secure Communications

EDGE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems, a provider of advanced, technology-led defence and security solutions.

EDGE and BAE Systems Digital Intelligence will explore opportunities for collaboration across the GXP Fusion software solution to enable increased situational awareness capabilities of Katim’s secure devices.

The companies will jointly pursue opportunities for the Katim Gateway network encryption solution in key target markets, and enhance cyber technologies such as BEACON RED’s Range on Wheels (ROW) cyber range and testing platform.

Training Deal

EDGE Group entity, Halcon, a regional leader in the design and production of guided weapons systems and beyond, signed a contract with The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Türkiye Defense Industries Research and Development Institute (Tubitak Sage), a leading research and development (R&D) institution in the field of defence industry technology and producer of precision air-to-surface weapons. Halcon will send employees to Tubitak Sage for training in formulating composite propellants and liners on a laboratory scale. Two Halcon employees will be sent to Tubitak Sage for a month-long course over the next 18 months.

Industrial Cooperation

EDGE entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), a leader in the design, new build, repair, maintenance, refit, and conversion of naval and commercial vessels, and Fincantieri, one of the world’s leading shipbuilding groups, announced an Industrial Cooperation Agreement.

EDGE and Fincantieri will join forces on the design, construction, and fleet management of military and commercial vessels, as well as creating new business opportunities in the local and international markets with value-added advanced technology solutions.

Teaming Agreement

EDGE entity NIMR, a leading manufacturer of light and medium military vehicles, and John Cockerill Defense signed a Teaming Agreement to jointly explore opportunities for the development and marketing of the innovative Cockerill i-X.

The agreement was signed by Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the NIMR Board and Thierry Renaudin, CEO of John Cockerill Defense.

Following the successful launch of the Cockerill i-X in 2022, John Cockerill Defense has completed a series of mobility and live fire trails with the prototype vehicle.

John Cockerill Defense and NIMR will collaborate exclusively on the next phase, defining a common approach to bring the Cockerill i-X to the market, with John Cockerill Defense’s experience in lethality solutions and NIMR’s experience in mobility solutions being combined to accelerate the process.

Shadow Systems

EDGE entity ADASI signed an AED 1.33 billion contract to supply Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 to the UAE Armed Forces.

Juma Al Kaabi, CEO of ADASI said: “We are committed to delivering the most advanced technologies and solutions that meet the UAE Army’s requirements, now and in the future. Our Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 loitering munitions ensure high accuracy with extended endurance and range, and we are confident that they will ensure a decisive advantage in protecting those on the frontlines.”

Thunder PGMs

EDGE Group entity Halcon signed a contract worth AED 2.14 billion with the UAE Armed Forces to supply short-range guided munition systems.

The new contract will provide the UAE Armed Forces with Halcon’s Thunder P3 Light precision-guided munitions (PGMs). The P3 Light is designed to integrate onto the MK series of general purpose aerial munitions and under the contract, will be fitted with a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker .

Comments () Views (3504 ) Print

Send To Friend