The collaboration marks a new era of cooperation between the UAE and Israel.
EDGE, the UAEs advanced technology group for defence and beyond, has agreed on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) – Israel’s major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, to develop an advanced C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) tailored to the UAE market, with wide-ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond.
Through leveraging IAIs C-UAS solutions that are applied around the world to detect, identify and intercept a broad range of threats, EDGE, a young company that recently launched a series of aerospace solutions, is leveraging its subsidiary, SIGN4L, a provider of electronic warfare services and solutions for national security, to collaborate with the Israeli defence manufacturer.
Comprising advanced 3D radar, COMINT (communications intelligence), and Electro-Optic technologies that are integrated into a unified command and control system, the C-UAS is fully autonomous requiring no human intervention. A series of countermeasures, ranging from soft-kill solutions such as spoofing and jamming, to hard-kill capabilities such as lasers and electromagnetic pulses, are offered based on the level of threat and targeted operating environment.
Both SIGN4L and IAI will leverage their technical capabilities to develop the system in response to specific customer needs. Further support will be available via IAIs partnership with Belgium Advanced Technology Systems which has a technical and marketing presence in the region.
Speaking about the agreement, Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director, EDGE, said: In line with the Abraham Accords and the UAEs newly-established cooperation with Israel, it is a defining moment for us to join forces with IAI. As EDGE invests extensively in autonomous capabilities, our co-development of a Counter-UAS will help strengthen our advanced technology portfolio.
Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, added: “IAI is proud to join forces with EDGE, to provide the UAE and wider region with a unique and advanced solution in what is a key area of expertise for IAI. This MoU serves as a stepping-stone for further business and strategic alliances between our countries, and will enhance cooperation for R&D and technological innovation.
