Defense exhibits Idex and Navdex 2025 wrap up today with 40 contracts worth AED 23.7 bn inked over the past four days, state news agency Wam reports. This includes 12 new agreements worth AED 3.8 bn secured by the Tawazun Council yesterday, split between AED 1.3 bn in local agreements and AED 2.5 bn in international partnerships.

These agreements include:

  • A contract with International Golden Group to supply ammunition worth AED 488 mn;
  • An AED 487.7 mn contract with Abu Dhabi’s Trust to procure advanced fire-support systems, enhancing artillery and battlefield coordination capabilities;
  • An AED 22.5 mn contract with Itqan Al Khaleej Computers for technical support services;
  • An agreement worth AED 233 mn with National Factory for Safety and Security Products to supply military-grade footwear;
  • An AED 6 mn agreement with Bayanat to implement and develop the AI-driven Tarjama program;
  • A contract with Emirates Motor Company worth AED 10 mn for vehicle maintenance, repair, and spare parts;
  • An AED 4.5 mn contract with AM Industries for shooting range targets.

A breakdown of other partnerships inked yesterday:

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Aerospace and defense giant Thales International plans to establish a radar manufacturing facility in the UAE to meet local needs and export globally, CEO Pascale Sourisse told Wam. The company is also discussing new projects to develop aircraft, communication systems, and radars with UAE entities.

#2- Al Taif to upgrade the UAE’s IFVs: Al Taif, Edge’s military land platforms supporter, partnered with Turkish combat vehicle producer FNSS to upgrade the UAE armed forces’ infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), according to a press release.

#3- Abu Dhabi’s VentureOne and Edge Group subsidiary Caracal will set up production lines in the UAE to produce Centurion, a lightweight body armor system developed with the Technology Innovation Institute, state new agency Wam reports.

#4- UAE, Australia launch defense tech partnership for localized weapons production: Shielders Advanced Industries and Australia’s Electro Optic Systems (EOS) will jointly build a facility in the UAE to manufacture R150 remote weapon systems backed by the UAE’s Economic Balance Program, state news agency Wam reports.

#5- Edge's subsidiary Katim inked a MoU with Australia’s Codan Communications to collaborate on advanced military radio solutions, according to a press release. The partnership aims to develop, manufacture, and deploy secure and adaptable communication systems for modern defense and security operations.

DEFENSE TECH-

#1- Edge’s space arm Fada launched geospatial intelligence platform Tactica to support decision-making across several sectors including defense and security, according to a press release. The platform — powered by the UAE’s LLM Falcon — processes satellite imagery, signals intelligence, sensor data, and open-source information to produce actionable insights.

#2- The company also partnered with ST Engineering to improve the UAE’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite capabilities, according to a press release. ST Engineering will work with Fada to deliver a single-polarisation SAR satellite and ground segment, while also transferring technical expertise. This partnership aims to advance the Sirb Program, a national initiative to boost the UAE’s Radar Earth Observation capabilities.

#3- Meanwhile, Edge’s defense technology provider Trust teamed up with Leonardo DRS to develop defense solutions for the UAE armed forces, according to a press release. The solutions will focus on developing situational awareness systems for vehicle integration. The company also partnered with Diehl Defence to develop its defense capabilities within the UAE, according to a separate press release.

#4- Edge subsidiary Adasi will integrate Meteksan Defence’s Milsar radars into its Garmoosha drones under an agreement, according to a press release.

MARITIME-

Edge and naval vessel producer CMN Naval will collaborate on developing advanced naval platforms, maintenance, and commercial initiatives, according to a press release.  

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