Defense exhibits Idex and Navdex 2025 saw some 18 contracts worth AED 9.7 bn inked on their first two days, including five new agreements from the UAE Tawazun Council, the defense and security acquisitions authority for the UAE armed forces and Abu Dhabi police, worth AED 5.8 bn, state news agency Wam reports. The exact investment ticket for each project was not disclosed.

Local defense partnerships took the lead on the second day with three contracts worth AED 5.6 bn. These include:

  • An AED 3.7 bn contract for Calidus Aerospace to procure Heda Missile System (Phase 1);
  • An AED 492 mn contract for ammunition procurement for International Golden Group;
  • A AED 1.3 bn contract for 50-meter marine boats for DTEC Industries.

Other agreements spanning emergency response infrastructure, electromechanical systems, manufacturing and maritime operations, cybersecurity, and aircraft maintenance include:

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Tawazun, Kaman, and Kintsugi to launch proximity sensor production in TIP: Tawazun Council partnered with Kaman Precision Products and Kintsugi Holdings to establish a manufacturing facility for proximity sensors in the Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), state news agency Wam reports. The sensors will be designed for use with laser-guided bombs, and will serve customers in the UAE and the wider region.

#2- EPI to develop its electromechanical capabilities: State defense firm Edge Group’s engineering subsidiary EPI inked an MoU with US-based General Atomics-Systems Integration for the development of EPI’s electromechanical systems at a new facility, according to a press release. No further details were disclosed.

#3- Local defense firm Calidus Group will expand its manufacturing operations under a new MoU with Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP), state news agency Wam reports. The partnership will enable TIP to provide one-stop-shop and industrial real estate services for the Alhada missile factory and Calidus’ manufacturing facilities which will be built in the Park.

#4- Caracal expands global footprint with Malaysian manufacturing pact: UAE-based small arms firm and an Edge Group subsidiary Caracal inked an agreement with Malaysia’s Ketech Asia to locally assemble and manufacture its CAR 816 assault rifle in Malaysia, according to a press release. The agreement upgrades a 2023 reseller partnership, enabling Ketech Asia to produce critical components at its new Pahang factory.

#5- ADSB and ASRY to develop maritime vessels: Edge Group’s maritime vessel producer Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) partnered with the maritime repair and fabrication facility Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) to build new naval auxiliary vessels and port crafts, state news agency Wam reports.

#6- Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) tentatively agreed with Abu Dhabi-based Calidus to jointly develop the Hurkus training aircraft, Turkey Today reports, citing TAI’s CEO Mehmet Demiroglu. The UAE is looking into acquiring Turkey’s ATAK 1 helicopters and ANKA-3 combat aircraft, and participating in developing the KAAN aircraft prototype, Demiroglu said. The two countries are also discussing establishing a new air platform together.

DEFENSE TECH-

#1- Edge and Lockheed Martin partner on chiplet tech for defense systems: Edge Group and Lockheed Martin signed a letter of intent to co-develop localized chiplet-based processors for single-board computers, according to a press release. The collaboration, led by Edge’s smart weapons subsidiary Halcon, will advance the UAE’s Chiplet Ecosystem Program to diversify and expand domestic electronics production.

Sound smart: Chiplet processors enable advanced targeting, guidance, and real-time sensor data processing, enhancing precision and situational awareness in defense systems.

#2- Edge Group inked an agreement with Italy’s Leonardo focusing on airborne radar systems, anti-tactical ballistic missile defense, counter-drone technology, naval combat management, radio communications, and optronics, according to a press release. The agreement will also see them work on marketing these solutions to governments worldwide, shared intellectual property development, and future design innovations.

#3- Edge Group and General Motors’ GM Defense signed a MoU to explore light tactical vehicle projects targeting customers in the Middle East, Africa, Malaysia, and Indonesia, according to a press release.

MAINTENANCE-

#1- Sanad and Pratt & Whitney to build MRO facility in Al Ain: Mubadala’s aerospace maintenance arm Sanad Group tapped technology firm Pratt & Whitney for an aircraft engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services facility in Al Ain, marking the first such center in the Mena and South Asia regions, state news agency Wam reports. Tawazun Council will also invest in the project.  

#2- Safran and Abu Dhabi Aviation Group ink military MRO alliance: Safran Aircraft Engines and Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA) — through its subsidiaries GAL and Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Center (Ammroc) — will work to bolster military aviation MRO services, state news agency Wam reports.

CYBERSECURITY-

#1- Tawazun Council and Lockheed Martin inked a letter of intent to establish a cybersecurity center of excellence, state news agency Wam reports. The center will focus on advanced research, specialized training, and industry collaboration in cybersecurity. The project will involve establishing a security operations center, cyber valleys across the UAE, and a platform to bolster national security.

#2- GPS-free drone tech to counter rising navigation threats: Abu Dhabi’s Adasi is deploying two new autonomous systems by VentureOne — Perceptra and Saluki — to enable drones and aircraft to operate securely without satellite reliance, according to a press release.

The partnership integrates two systems developed by Abu Dhabi’s VentureOne, the commercialization arm of Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). Perceptra is a vision-based navigation tool that replaces GPS by analyzing visual data to operate in environments where satellite signals are blocked, while Saluki is a flight controller using Zero Trust security and AI to manage missions. Perceptra enables drones to navigate without GPS for tasks like surveillance or urban logistics, while Saluki’s architecture defends against cyberattacks and coordinates multiple drones using PX4 software and high-speed processing.

INFRASTRUCTURE-

Edge, ADCDA, and Kintsugi to level up Abu Dhabi’s emergency response infrastructure: State defense firm Edge Group partnered with the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority (ADCDA) and Abu Dhabi-based Kintsugi Holding to develop Abu Dhabi’s emergency response infrastructure, according to a press release. The partnership will focus on enhancing early warning systems, emergency and response systems, and end-to-end platform integration.

OTHER EDGE NEWS-

Edge reported a revenue of USD 5 bn in 2024, 20% of which was generated from exports, state news agency Wam reports. The company is currently focused on expanding its operations in Africa, followed by Latin America and Asia, CEO Hamad Al Marar told Wam.

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