Dubai Airshow: Edge and IAI to develop advanced unmanned systems

Companies also signed an agreement to establish a maintenance centre for a selection of Israel Aerospace Industries systems in the UAE

Faisal Al Bannai, chief executive and managing director of Edge, second left, signed an initial pact with IAI to establish a localised electro-optics maintenance centre. Photo: Edge

UAE defence conglomerate Edge and weapons maker Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will jointly develop advanced unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for military and commercial use.

Edge subsidiary ADSB will collaborate with IAI to develop a series of 170 m-USVs, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday during the Dubai Airshow. ADSB specialises in the building, repair, maintenance, refit and conversion of naval and commercial vessels.

ADSB will design the platform, integrate the control systems and payload, and develop the concept of operations. IAI will develop the autonomous control system and integrate various mission-payloads to the control system units according to the mission requirements.

"Through this strategic alliance, we can ensure optimal autonomous operational solutions that minimise risk to human life, address key challenges for various industries, and enable a secure future for all," Faisal Al Bannai, chief executive and managing director of Edge Group, said. "These developments will open many doors for us in local and global markets, military and commercial alike.”

Comprising advanced sensors, sonars and imaging systems that are integrated into a unified command and control system, the USV can operate either remotely, semi-autonomously or autonomously, requiring no human intervention, according to the statement.

Military uses for the USV include intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, border patrol, maritime security operations, mine detection and sweeping, submarine detection and anti-submarine warfare and deployment platform for VTOL vehicles, the companies said.

It can also be customised for commercial uses such as oceanography, pollution monitoring, oil and gas exploration, transportation of materials and liquids, search and rescue, fire-fighting and first interventions, they said.

The preliminary agreement "brings together the best technological knowhow from both companies – Edge Group’s and ADSB’s naval and commercial vessel expertise, and IAI’s expertise in autonomous systems, robotics, and artificial intelligence – for a joint Made in UAE effort, maximising both companies business opportunities and growth," Boaz Levy, president and chief executive of IAI, said.

The statement did not provide details on the value of the deal or when production is scheduled to start.

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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at Dubai Airshow - in pictures

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  Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, tours the 2021 Dubai Airshow. Sheikh Mohammed is accompanied by Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, third from left. All photos Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

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  Sheikh Mohamed was briefed by executives at the airshow, with conversations touching on the latest global developments in areas of defence. Sheikh Mohamed wished the participants all success in their business endeavours.

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  Sheikh Mohamed tours the 2021 Dubai Airshow, accompanied, second from left, by Faisal Al Bannai, chief executive and managing director of Edge.

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  Sheikh Mohamed is briefed by their executives on the technologies on display at the global show.

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  Sheikh Mohamed tours the show with Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, fourth from left, and Faisal Al Bannai.

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  Sheikh Mohamed tours the 2021 Dubai Airshow. The five-day event at Al Maktoum International Airport features 1,200 exhibitors from 48 countries, and is expected to attract 80,000 visitors.

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  Sheikh Mohamed said 2021 Dubai Airshow is 'particularly important in terms of the volume of national and international participations and the quality of exhibits on display that add value to the global event, given the circumstances the event in convening under'.

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  Sheikh Mohamed tours the Dubai Airshow with Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad, second right, and Faisal Al Bannai, right.

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  Sheikh Mohamed praised the organisation of the show. He said it reflected the well-earned reputation of the UAE, its leading status in the exhibition industry and its recognised ability to host global events under various circumstances. Dubai Airshow ends on November 18.

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Edge and IAI also signed an agreement to establish a maintenance centre for a selection of IAI's systems in the UAE. In addition to maintenance, the centre will advance local marketing of these systems. The agreement covers electro-optics advanced systems, including IAI's Plug-in Optronic Payload (POP) systems, Mini-POP and Multi-Sensors Optronic Stabilised Payload surveillance payloads for land, naval and air applications.

"This agreement with a leading global industry player such as IAI will create many opportunities for the expansion of Electro-Optical/Infra-Red services here in the UAE and further afield," Omar Al Zaabi, senior vice president and head of programme acquisition at Edge, said.

"By combining IAI’s expertise in the field and our own experience in providing advanced solutions locally, we can expedite complex maintenance processes for the benefit of our customers, while expanding the scope of collaboration on future opportunities," he said.

Both companies will also form a standing joint committee to identify opportunities in this field within the UAE, and to expand future co-operation in other countries.

The deals come after the UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations last year.