BEIRUT — UAE defense conglomerate EDGE Group inked a Letter of Intent (LOI) today with the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Angola to equip the African nation with command and control systems (C2) dedicated to border security missions.
The firm made the announcement in a statement during an Emirati delegation visit led by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
“This important programme underscores EDGE’s core strategy of delivering advanced, UAE-developed defence and security solutions to international partners,” said EDGE Group CEO Hamad Al Marar in the statement. “Angola stands out as a forward-thinking nation with a clear vision for modernising its national security architecture, which makes it an ideal partner in shaping the future of border control.”
According to the agreement, EDGE’s entity Beacon Red will deliver “command and control (C2) systems and mission-specific training to enhance situational awareness, operational readiness, and rapid response at critical border points.”
The C2 border security deal will integrate “AI-powered analytics, surveillance UAVs, secure communications, and big data management with traditional defence systems and layered physical security,” the statement added.
The announcement comes just weeks before the Dubai Airshow, the defense and aerospace exposition taking place in the UAE between Nov. 17 and Nov. 21.
This is not the first time EDGE Group made an agreement with Angola. In 2023, EDGE subsidiary Abu Dhabi Ship Building signed a contract worth €1 billion ($1.07 billion) with the Angolan navy to procure three 71-meter corvettes.
This deal falls in line with goals set by Al Marar earlier this year. In a February interview, Al Marar told Breaking Defense that the firm will be focusing on exports to African countries
“We have certain focus areas in Asia. But if we look at growth, we see the growth happening fast in Africa,” he told Breaking Defense at the time.