عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

UAE, Israel to Jointly Design Unmanned Military, Commercial Vessels

A general view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2021. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
A general view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2021. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
TT
20
TT

UAE, Israel to Jointly Design Unmanned Military, Commercial Vessels

A general view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2021. REUTERS/Christopher Pike
A general view of the Burj Khalifa and the downtown skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 12, 2021. REUTERS/Christopher Pike

Emirati state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE and Israeli state-owned aerospace firm IAI on Thursday signed an agreement to jointly design unmanned military and commercial vessels.

A joint statement said the "17 M" unmanned surface vessels would be designed to carrying out security operations, mine sweeping and surveillance, among other capabilities.

The United Arab Emirates and Israel established diplomatic ties last year in a deal brokered by the United States.

Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE Group, said: “It is an important milestone for EDGE to forge collaborations with leading defense players such as IAI to strengthen our advanced technology portfolio.”

“Through this strategic alliance, we can ensure optimal autonomous operational solutions that minimize risk to human life, address key challenges for various industries, and enable a secure future for all. These developments will open many doors for us in local and global markets, military and commercial alike,” he added.

President and CEO of IAI Boaz Levy said he was proud to join hands with EDGE in the new endeavor.

“This MOU brings together the best technological knowhow from both companies – EDGE Group’s and ADSB’ naval and commercial vessel expertise, and IAI’s expertise in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence – for a joint Made in UAE effort, maximizing both companies’ business opportunities and growth,” he added.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

Egyptian Parliament Approves Formation of Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh during a previous meeting. (SPA)
TT
20
TT

Egyptian Parliament Approves Formation of Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh during a previous meeting. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman meets with Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi in Riyadh during a previous meeting. (SPA)

The Egyptian Parliament, chaired by Speaker Dr. Hanafy El Gebali, approved on Monday the formation of the Saudi-Egyptian Supreme Coordination Council, aimed at elevating bilateral relations to an unprecedented strategic level.

The establishment of the council was announced in mid-October following discussions between Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo.

By the end of last year, the Egyptian government had approved the council’s formation, with an official statement highlighting its goal of “intensifying communication and strengthening cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Egypt across various sectors of mutual interest.”

During a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in September, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized that the Supreme Coordination Council would serve as “an overarching framework to further deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across political, economic, trade, developmental, and investment sectors to benefit both nations.”

According to the Egyptian government’s statement, the council will comprise ministers and officials from both countries in relevant fields and will hold regular meetings alternately in both nations, with provisions for extraordinary meetings when necessary. The council will replace the previously established Joint Higher Committee Agreement.

Ahmed Fouad Abaza, chairman of the Egyptian Parliament’s Arab Affairs Committee, stated that the council aims to achieve several strategic objectives, including coordination and consultations on regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to security and stability in the region.

He added that the council would boost economic, trade, and investment partnerships by facilitating Saudi investments in Egypt and encouraging private sector collaboration between the two countries. It will also focus on exchanging expertise and information in security and defense, as well as strengthening cooperation in counterterrorism and combating organized crime.

The council will drive cooperation in key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, environmental sustainability, culture, industry, technology, telecommunications, transportation, digital transformation, infrastructure, and energy, among other vital areas, stressed Abaza.