Defense exhibits Idex and Navdex 2025 saw some 28 contracts worth AED 19.9 bn inked on their first three days, including ten new agreements worth AED 10.2 bn from The Tawazun Council and AED 9.7 bn for local firms, the defense and security acquisitions authority for the UAE armed forces and Abu Dhabi police, according to a press release.

Domestic defense was once again at the forefront on the third day with seven contracts valued at AED 9.6 bn. These include:

  • An AED 1.9 bn contract for Edge Group for naval technical support systems;
  • An AED 2.3 bn contract for CLS Automotive Technologies for the supply of IFV Wahsh armored vehicles;
  • An AED 121.3 mn contract with Abu Dhabi military equipment supplier Trust to purchase CBRN protective gear;
  • An AED 288 mn contract to purchase Tracked RCV unmanned vehicles;
  • An AED 382 mn contract with International Golden Group for the purchase of an E-Loran system;
  • An AED 4.4 bn contract for Edge Group’s subsidiary, Lahab Defense Systems, to supply MK81-84 general-purpose aerial munitions to the UAE Defense Ministry.

Here is a rundown of other agreements signed yesterday, spanning emergency response infrastructure, electromechanical systems, manufacturing, and cybersecurity.

DEFENSE TECH-

#1- Edge’s ADSB partners with Spain’s Indra: Edge Group’s naval arm Abu Dhabi ShipBuilding (ADSB) inked an agreement with Spanish defense systems company Indra to integrate a “3D radar, radar electronic support measures, communications electronic support measures, and counter-unmanned aerial systems jammers” into ADSB’s FA-400 offshore patrol vessel, Edge said in a press release. The agreement, signed at Navdex, is supported by the Abu Dhabi-based joint venture between Edge and Indra, Pulse.

ICYMI- ADSB also partnered with the maritime repair and fabrication facility Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard (ASRY) on day two of the exhibition to build new naval auxiliary vessels and port craft. Edge subsidiary Katim also teamed up to develop advanced secure communication systems for Nato and Spanish markets on the first day of Idex.

#2- EDGEGroup and France’s Naval Group inked an MoU to explore potential collaboration in advanced naval combat systems, Edge said in a press release.

CYBERSECURITY-

#1- Edge Group landed AED 227 mn contract for anti-jamming systems: Edge Group’s subsidiary, SIGN4L, secured a AED 227 mn contract to supply GPS-Protect anti-jamming systems to the UAE Defense Ministry, according to a press release.

The details: SIGN4L, which is part of Edge’s electronic warfare portfolio, will produce systems designed to protect UAE military satellite navigation receivers from interference and jamming.

#2- Edge’s Katim and Nokia partner on secure defense telecom networks:

Edge Group’s Katim and Nokia signed an MoU to develop secure telecommunications networks for UAE defense and critical infrastructure, according to a press release. The agreement focuses on Military 5G and “5G in-a-box” systems designed to meet high-security standards for mission-critical operations. Nokia will deploy its Middle East Mobile Networks team to support network development, while Katim will ensure compliance with UAE defense requirements.

MAINTENANCE-

#1- Ammroc receives a depot MRO center certification for helicopter blades: The UAE’s Advanced Military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Center (Ammroc) has been certified by Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky as a depot maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center for Black Hawk helicopter rotor blades, according to a statement. Ammroc will serve as the first certified depot MRO center for these types of helicopter blades outside the US. The company is currently working on securing full authorization for its Black Hawk rotor and transmission shop, state news agency Wam reports.

#2- Ammroc and Marshall sign C-130 maintenance contract: Ammroc and UK aerospace firm Marshall signed an 18-month service agreement to upgrade and maintain C-130 aircraft fleets, Wam reports. Marshall will deploy engineers to Ammroc’s Al Ain facilities.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Calidus and Safran partner on aerial delivery systems: UAE defense firm Calidus signed an MoU with France’s Safran Electronics and Defence to develop aerial delivery systems for military and humanitarian operations in the Mena region, state news agency Wam reports. The collaboration will focus on avionics, navigation systems, and logistics optimization for missions ranging from combat to disaster relief.

#2- Al Taif and Ayyazilim partner on Light Robotic Combat Vehicle: Edge Group entity Al Taif signed a MoU with Turkish systems engineering firm Ayyazilim to convert a light robotic combat vehicle (LRCV) from a commercial off-road platform, according to a press release. Ayyazilim will oversee electronic systems integration for the LRCV, including communications, sensors, navigation, and safety mechanisms. Al Taif, specializing in military land platform support, will ensure the vehicle meets combat performance requirements.

SPACE-

Space42’s Mira Aerospace partnered with defense and aerospace facility XRange to establish a testing hub for high-altitude UAV trials, according to a press release. XRange will serve as the main training, testing, and evaluation facility for Mira’s solar-powered UAV, offering airspace allocation, trial instrumentation, and planning support.

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