During the opening day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex 2023), UAE-based defence conglomerate Edge unveiled a lineup of 11 new unmanned and autonomous products and systems, in line with the country’s expanding manufacturing sector. The new range of products is designed for tactical intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics support, and combat operations across air, land, and maritime combat environments, according to Edge.
The “Made in UAE” portfolio is part of the country’s Operation 300bn strategy, which aims to increase the contribution of the local industrial sector to the country’s GDP to Dh300 billion ($81.68 billion) by 2031. The move reflects Edge’s commitment to international security and prosperity and demonstrates the company’s dedication to strengthening sovereign capabilities and bringing globally competitive products to the market.
In June 2021, Edge signed an agreement with the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology and Emirates Development Bank to boost manufacturing in the defence sector, with EDB providing financing of up to Dh1 billion to accelerate the industrialisation of Edge’s offerings.
The new autonomous products are expected to strengthen Edge’s position as a leading defence manufacturer in the UAE and the wider Middle East region. The company has been expanding its autonomous capabilities in recent years and has made significant investments in research and development to advance its unmanned systems.
