UAE’s EDGE for advanced defense technology signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop an advanced C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System) tailored to the Emirati market, with wide-ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond.
EDGE is leveraging its subsidiary, SIGN4L, a leading provider of electronic warfare services and solutions for national security, to collaborate with IAI, Israel's major aerospace and aviation manufacturer, for developing C-UAS solutions that are applied around the world to detect, identify, and intercept a broad range of threats.
EDGE issued a statement explaining that advanced 3D radar, COMINT (communications intelligence), and Electro-Optic technologies will be integrated into a unified command and control system, which makes the C-UAS 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 IAI’s partnership with Belgium Advanced Technology Systems which has a technical and marketing presence in the region.
EDGE CEO and Managing Director Faisal al-Bannai described joining forces with IAI as a “defining moment” for the company.
“As EDGE invests extensively in autonomous capabilities, our co-development of a Counter-UAS will help strengthen our advanced technology portfolio.”
IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy asserted the company’s pride in collaborating with EDGE to provide the UAE and wider region with a unique and advanced solution.
“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.”
This agreement comes in light of wide cooperation between the UAE and Israel, after the signing of a peace treaty and the development of full bilateral relations, following the conclusion of the Abraham Accords last August.
UAE and Israel agreed to sign bilateral agreements in the sectors of investment, tourism, security, communications, technology, energy, health care, culture, environment, and other areas of mutual interest.