The UAE has said it will supply its first locally made air defense missiles to German security company Rheinmetall AG as the Gulf state expands the production and export of military technology.
Halcon, a state-owned unit The Edge Group designed the SkyKnight missile system to provide early warning and threat signals from aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets, according to the announcement made during the Abu Dhabi International Defense Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday. The missiles will form part of Rheinmetall’s Skynex defense system, the statement said.
A Halcon SkyKnight missile.
The oil-rich United Arab Emirates pledged to localize arms production and exports in an effort to diversify its economy and become less dependent on foreign companies, especially defense contractors. Last year, Edge, owned by Abu Dhabi, accounted for 1.3% of global arms sales, ranking 22nd among the 25 largest companies in the world, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Edge CEO Faisal Al Bannai said in an interview that he expects sales to grow by up to 15% in 2021, from $ 5 billion last year.
The group specializes in autonomous technologies, smart missiles and electronic warfare. Although electronic warfare systems have a limited presence in Edge’s portfolio now, the company plans to become a global player by developing sophisticated products in the next two years, said Al Bannai.
The objective, he said, is not to serve basic solutions, but “to really offer advanced solutions”.
Abu Dhabi founded Edge in November 2019 and combined 25 companies under his umbrella, making it one of the largest defense groups in the Middle East.
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Edge’s CEO also said:
- The company revealed improvised explosive device blockers and “very advanced” GPS spoofers to combat drones and expects sales later this year.
- He does not expect the advent of the Biden government to have a specific impact on business with the United Arab Emirates: “We are not really involved in any policy or administrative policy.”