IAI, Edge announce first Israeli-Emirati defence co-operation

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the UAE’s Edge have begun the first collaboration between Israeli and Emirati defence companies since the normalisation of their countries’ relations in August 2020.

Both companies released statements on 11 March saying a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been agreed to develop an advanced counter-unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) with Edge’s SIGN4L division that IAI said is tailored to “specific customer needs” in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The system will be made up of a combination of IAI and SIGN4L products, including radar, electro-optical, and communications intelligence sensors to detect and identify threats. These will be supported by a range of effectors that include soft-kill jamming and cyber-takeover systems and hard-kill guns, missiles, and directed-energy weapons. It will be capable of operating fully autonomously.

Belgium Advanced Technology Systems, a company that offers C-UAS systems, already works with IAI, and has a presence in the UAE, will also be involved.

“In line with the recent Abraham Accords and the UAE’s newly established co-operation and spirit of collaboration with Israel, Edge and IAI are joining forces to deal with this growing threat,” the statement quoted Edge CEO Faisal al-Bannai as saying.

“This MoU serves as a stepping-stone for further business and strategic alliances between our countries and will enhance co-operation for R&D and technological innovation,” IAI CEO Boaz Levy said.