EDGE, Thales Partner to Localise Optronic System Maintenance
At the 2025 Paris Airshow, EDGE, a global advanced technology and defence group, and Thales, a leader in high-tech defence solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand cooperation on electro-optic systems. This agreement underscores their shared focus on enhancing the UAE’s sovereign defence capabilities and building sustainable, in-country industrial technologies.
The MoU establishes a framework for collaboration between EDGE’s Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) and Thales. Together, they will explore the development of local capabilities for maintaining and supporting Thales’ advanced optronic systems, which are already in use by the UAE Armed Forces. As a result, the partnership aims to deliver operational benefits while contributing to national defence self-sufficiency.
Localised Support for Critical Electro-Optic Technologies
The collaboration will target three key areas. First, EDGE and Thales will focus on maintaining Thales’ SOPHIE family of Hand-Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI). These devices are known for high-performance detection and identification support for ground forces.
Second, the partnership will enable local support for Thales’ XTRAIM weapon sights. These compact devices combine red dot sighting and thermal imaging into one rugged, high-performance tool for mission-critical operations.
Third, the initiative includes support for Thales’ Electro-Optic Vehicular Cameras. These systems enhance crew situational awareness and targeting across a wide range of armoured platforms. By enabling local maintenance, the agreement helps improve operational readiness and reduces support turnaround time.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE; Alexis Morel, Vice-President of Optronics and Missile Electronics at Thales; and Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales UAE. It was witnessed by senior leaders including Hamad Al Marar of EDGE, Patrice Caine of Thales Group, and Pascale Sourisse of Thales International.
Advancing UAE Defence Capabilities Through Partnership
Both EDGE and Thales are leveraging their strengths to enhance support for advanced technologies across the UAE Armed Forces. Through this agreement, they aim to boost operational lifecycle support while helping build a local defence ecosystem.
Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, said:
“This MoU marks another important step in our journey to strengthen local defence capabilities through industrial partnerships. Together with Thales, EDGE is taking a significant step towards enabling unique and centralised maintenance capabilities for mission-critical electro-optical systems.”
Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE, added:
“We are proud to deepen our collaboration with EDGE and contribute to the UAE’s strategic vision for localised defence readiness. This partnership will ensure sustained performance of our advanced optronics systems across multiple operational domains, and reinforce our shared commitment to bolster the local industrial ecosystem and reinforce the UAE’s leadership in the global defence sector.”
By formalising this partnership, both companies reinforce their long-term commitment to the UAE’s defence resilience and innovation strategy. This agreement is expected to pave the way for more joint efforts that support national capabilities through technology localisation and skilled workforce development.
