Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market

Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market
Emirati defense giant EDGE Group teams with Spain’s Indra to dive into advanced radar market

The agreement speaks “volumes about EDGE’s resolve to develop sound domestic production capabilities of next-gen radar systems in the short term and to position itself as a competitive radar production hub regionally in the long run,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.

Outdoing US, China makes a splash at Emirati unmanned defense tech show

Outdoing US, China makes a splash at Emirati unmanned defense tech show
Outdoing US, China makes a splash at Emirati unmanned defense tech show

The Asian giant had more than 50 entities present at UMEX 2024, according to organizers, compared to less than two dozen from the US and just a few from Russia.

Separate from F-35, Emirate’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian deal moving ‘forward,’ exec says

Separate from F-35, Emirate’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian deal moving ‘forward,’ exec says
Separate from F-35, Emirate’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian deal moving ‘forward,’ exec says

The nearly $3B deal, which was frozen for years in a geopolitical tussle, is making strides, GA-ASI President David Alexander told Breaking Defense.

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit
Russia’s Putin meets Iran’s Raisi in Moscow after whirlwind Gulf visit

US partners Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates are sending a message to US with high-profile Putin meetings, analysts told Breaking Defense.

Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country

Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country
Emirati firm inks deal with Sikorsky for Black Hawk maintenance in-country

“Having high quality local capabilities supported by the OEM [original equipment manufacturer], will help reduce lead times significantly and translate into better service and availability for the UAE,” a Sikorksy official said.

UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO

UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO
UAE air force makes first order for Emirati firm Calidus’s B250 trainer aircraft: CEO

Calidus CEO Khalifa Alblooshi told Breaking Defense in an exclusive interview the company hopes to start delivering the turboprop aircraft in mid-2026.

In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet
In first, Emirati guided weapons to be equipped on UAE’s French Rafale F4 fighter fleet

Three different munitions — the Mk81, Mk82 and longer-range Mk83 guided bombs made by EDGE subsidiary Al Tariq — will all be integrated on the fourth generation plane in due course, Al Tariq CEO Theunis Botha told Breaking Defense.

Emirati firm to put missiles on MQ-9B, as US official says SkyGuardian, F-35 deal still ‘on the table’

Emirati firm to put missiles on MQ-9B, as US official says SkyGuardian, F-35 deal still ‘on the table’
Emirati firm to put missiles on MQ-9B, as US official says SkyGuardian, F-35 deal still ‘on the table’

A nearly $3 billion deal for 18 MQ-9B SkyGuardians was put on hold by the Biden administration, linked to concerns over the Gulf nation’s embrace of Chinese wireless tech.

As tensions rise over Israel’s fight in Gaza, why a UAE official says Abraham Accords will endure

As tensions rise over Israel’s fight in Gaza, why a UAE official says Abraham Accords will endure
As tensions rise over Israel’s fight in Gaza, why a UAE official says Abraham Accords will endure

As anger in the Arab world grows, analysts said Abu Dhabi is looking further into the future and at the economic and defense benefits of the 2020 deal.

‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA

‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA
‘Hard nut to crack’: Why major Gulf and Turkish firms shy away from AUSA

Analysts told Breaking Defense there might be a couple reasons firms that are going big in the Middle East, Europe and Latin America won’t be in Washington next week.

As UAE firms expand global reach, Brazil takes center stage for EDGE Group

As UAE firms expand global reach, Brazil takes center stage for EDGE Group
As UAE firms expand global reach, Brazil takes center stage for EDGE Group

EDGE, a conglomerate of more than 25 subsidiaries, is looking to Brazil as entry into a “niche region that has the ambitions to build up their militaries but don’t face pressing military threats,” one analyst said.

European firm to add C2, situational awareness tech to Emirati unmanned vessels

European firm to add C2, situational awareness tech to Emirati unmanned vessels
European firm to add C2, situational awareness tech to Emirati unmanned vessels

The integrated USV system is meant to demonstrate command and control capabilities, and provide marine security features including situational awareness and automatic threat detection. 

UAE’s EDGE Group to co-develop defense systems with Brazilian military organization

UAE’s EDGE Group to co-develop defense systems with Brazilian military organization
UAE’s EDGE Group to co-develop defense systems with Brazilian military organization

The Emirati conglomerate is “trying to find a niche region that has the ambitions to build up their militaries but don’t face pressing military threats,” analyst Ryan Bohl told Breaking Defense.

Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts

Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts
Any Saudi-Israeli normalization requires clearing major security, defense roadblocks: Experts

This week senior US official Jake Sullivan said no announcement was “imminent,” and experts told Breaking Defense several real obstacles remain in the diplomatic path.