28 February 2023

Calidus to produce Alheda missile

by Jeremy Binnie

Alheda missiles displayed on the launcher with an integrated Mirsad-II EODS inside the Tazawun Council's pavilion at IDEX 2023. (Janes/Jeremy Binnie)

Tawazun Technology and Innovation (TTI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with local company Calidus to manufacture the Alhedah missile, it was announced during the IDEX 2023 show held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February.

TTI is the research and development arm of Tawazun Council, the organisation tasked with developing the UAE's defence industry.

Displayed inside the Tawazun Council's pavilion at IDEX 2023, the Alheda is a short-range missile with a diameter of 140 mm, a length of 1.8 m, a weight of 37 kg, and a maximum range of 10 km. It can be fitted with either high-explosive or anti-tank warheads and either a semi-active laser (SAL) or imaging infrared (IIR) seeker.

Four were displayed on a launcher mounted on a Nimr Hafeet 6×6 vehicle with an integrated Mirsad-II electro-optical system for acquiring targets using a day camera, a short-wave IR camera, and a thermal imager, and then designating them using a laser. The system also had radar panels, although TTI officials told Janes the latter were for a surface-to-air concept that is not mature.

A similar missile called the Suhail was also displayed in the Tawazun Council's pavilion. Designed to counter small boats, the Suhail is launched from either the coast or a vessel and uses an IIR seeker to lock on to targets up to 8 km away.

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