The UAE National Pavilion recently concluded a dynamic presence at the fourth edition of SAHA Expo 2024, a premier international event in the defence, aerospace, and aviation sectors, held in Istanbul, Turkey, from October 22 to October 26, 2024.
Over five days, the pavilion drew significant attention from officials, global delegations, and visitors, who engaged with the UAE’s latest advancements in defence and security industries and its role as an emerging leader in these fields.
Broad Participation by UAE Defence Industry Leaders
The pavilion hosted an impressive range of prominent UAE defence companies, including HALCON, ADASI, KATIM, Al Tariq, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), and Advanced Concepts. Other notable participants included Oryx Labs, Lahab Defence Systems, Lahab Light Ammunition, EDGE Group’s Malaz, and Darwish bin Ahmed & Sons Group, with Al Jundi Journal, published by the UAE Ministry of Defence, serving as the media partner.
Organised by the Emirates Defence Companies Council and supported by the UAE Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council, the pavilion featured over 50 innovative products, all showcasing the “Made in UAE” brand. Products included state-of-the-art aerial and ground unmanned systems, precision-guided munitions, secure communication systems, and versatile mission vehicles. This extensive display highlighted the UAE’s commitment to defence and security innovation on the world stage.
Her Excellency Mona Ahmed Al-Jaber, Chairwoman of the Emirates Defence Companies Council, emphasized that the pavilion’s participation underscores the remarkable progress in the UAE’s defence industry. “Our industry is more than just technical expertise; it’s part of a broader vision for innovation,” Al-Jaber noted. She expressed that introducing advanced solutions through locally manufactured products aligns with the evolving demands of the defence and security sectors.
Al-Jaber praised the Emirati engineers and designers behind these products, recognizing their dedication to elevating industry standards at both international and local levels. “Representing the UAE on a global platform reflects our national ambitions. We’re proud of these achievements and look forward to an even brighter future,” she said.
Exploring Collaborative Opportunities
Throughout the SAHA Expo 2024, UAE representatives engaged with various officials to discuss collaborative opportunities in defence, security, and communication industries. The event facilitated several strategic partnerships between UAE and Turkish companies, marking significant steps toward expanding the UAE’s presence and enhancing its capabilities across these sectors.
A notable partnership was established with UAE-based Calidus Aviation, which signed cooperation agreements with Turkish firms Aselsan and Havelsan. This collaboration aims to strengthen ties in advanced defence technologies between the two nations. Another significant agreement saw Lahab, a subsidiary of EDGE Group, partnering with Turkey’s Asan Group to explore manufacturing solutions, while EDGE also signed with Turkey’s Bavo Group to increase EDGE’s presence in cybersecurity across Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa.
In addition, EDGE Group signed an agreement with Baykar, a Turkish company specializing in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to integrate EDGE’s advanced payloads with Baykar’s UAV systems. Malaz announced a memorandum of understanding with Turkey’s ERA RF Technologies, a prominent satellite communications provider, to bring satellite communication solutions to the UAE.
Showcasing the UAE’s Defence Industry Potential
The UAE National Pavilion at SAHA Expo 2024 provided an essential platform to showcase the nation’s latest defence and security projects, highlighting the role of technology and the active contribution of the UAE’s national industry to the ongoing development of the defence and security sectors.
Moreover, the UAE’s pavilion played a key role in promoting national products and strengthening international relations with other nations participating in the SAHA Expo.
Notably, the biennial SAHA Expo, Turkey and Europe’s largest defence industry gathering welcomed participants from over 124 countries and drew more than 150,000 visitors over five days.
Calidus Secures Strategic Partnerships with Leading Turkish Companies
During the SAHA Expo 2024, Calidus Aviation, a member of the Emirates Defence Companies Council, announced strategic cooperation agreements with Turkish firms Aselsan and Havelsan to enhance UAE-Turkey collaboration in the advanced defence sector.
The signing ceremony was attended by UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, His Excellency Mohamed bin Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Turkish Defence Industry Agency President Haluk Görgün, and Her Excellency Mona Ahmed Al-Jaber.
Dr Khalifa Al Blooshi, CEO of Calidus, and executives from Aselsan and Havelsan formalized the agreements, marking an important milestone in UAE-Turkey defence collaboration.
The agreements mark a key step in strengthening UAE-Turkey collaboration in the defence industry, aiming to foster joint innovation to deliver advanced solutions that meet current and future operational requirements in cockpit systems for aerial platforms and advanced training systems.
Under the agreement with ASELSAN, the company will provide advanced solutions for cockpit data displays on Calidus platforms and will work with Calidus in joint production, technological innovation, and upgrades for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft platforms.
The partnership aims to carry out comprehensive cockpit modernization projects, ensuring innovative solutions that meet both present and future operational needs.
HAVELSAN, a leader in defence and training systems, will provide advanced, cutting-edge systems for training Calidus platform crews. This partnership will enable the development of training solutions that meet current requirements and support the needs of future platforms.
Al Blooshi commented that these partnerships are vital to advancing the UAE’s local defence technology capabilities through collaboration with global leaders.
“By working with Aselsan and Havelsan, Calidus is positioned at the forefront of defence and aerospace innovation, supporting the UAE’s strategic goals. We are committed to enhancing our manufacturing and technological capabilities to compete in global markets,” he stated.
These partnerships highlight the UAE’s ambitions for expanding its role in the defence and security sectors, underscoring the nation’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and a future-oriented vision for technological progress.
Coverage by: Razi Izzeddin El Hadmi – Photography by: Omar Abdulla Alshehhi
