EDGE Group is one of the leading advanced technology and defence conglomerates globally, Specialising in unmanned and autonomous systems, EDGE Group is dedicated to accelerating the pace of technological advancement and enhancing indigenous capabilities in the United Arab Emirates.
To get a closer look at this leading group and its work in the unmanned and autonomous systems sector, Al Jundi Journal interviewed Mr Ahmed Al Khoori, the Senior Vice President for Strategy and Excellence at EDGE Group and had the following dialogue with him:
Talk to us about EDGE Group and its subsidiaries’ fields of work in autonomous solutions and its most prominent products
EDGE is a leading advanced technology and defence conglomerate, combining 25 entities and a portfolio of 160 innovative products and solutions across all the main military settings, including space, marine, land, and air. Since our entry onto the market only four years ago, we have made rapid advancements in the field of unmanned systems, expanding our range from one to forty autonomous solutions.
Our most recent strategic investments in SIATT and ANAVIA have yielded quick returns, with substantial orders from the Brazilian Navy and a letter of intent from the UAE Ministry of Defence for the MANSUP-ER system. A further example of our commitment to developing advanced solutions can be found in our REACH-S UAV, which, within two years of its launch, had completed testing and had secured an order for 100 units.
These achievements not only highlight the pace of our product development but also reinforce global confidence in the quality and effectiveness of our autonomous systems, solidifying our leadership in this domain.
How important is the UAE and GCC market for unmanned and autonomous solutions?
Headquartered in the UAE, we play a pivotal role in our home market and actively seek to foster valuable partnerships with other GCC nations – especially in the field of unmanned and autonomous solutions.
Our mission also goes beyond commercial interests. In firm alignment with the objectives outlined by the UAE’s Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), EDGE is dedicated to establishing a self-reliant defence industry in the UAE and positioning the country as a formidable global player in the advanced technology sector. To this end, we have made significant progress, our presence in the UAE has been firmly established, and we have a global footprint spanning 50 countries and 5 continents.
How has the landscape of unmanned and autonomous solutions evolved in recent years, and what role do you see EDGE Group and its subsidiaries playing in shaping the future of this industry?
In recent years, evolving global defence needs and rapid innovation in the advanced technology and military sectors have set new benchmarks. EDGE stands ready to meet these challenges, with cutting-edge maritime, airborne and ground-based capabilities. Our pioneering developments in smart weapons and cyber technologies, as well as our harnessing of Industry 4.0 technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), allow our products and solutions to be adapted with state-of-the-art technology to neutralise the latest threats or dangers. In the coming years, we will also continue to converge advancements made in the commercial market with military capabilities, ensuring the rapid delivery of innovative products and services to our customers.
Could you share some insights into the key challenges and opportunities in developing and implementing unmanned technologies, particularly within the context of EDGE Group’s strategic vision?
One of EDGE’s key strategic priorities is to develop a sovereign defence ecosystem within the UAE and expand our unmanned technologies portfolio for export onto the global market. To achieve such an objective, we have focused our strategy on three key areas: First, developing our autonomous capabilities across air, land and sea and incorporating AI and Machine Learning (ML) features to counteract threats. Second, building our base of electronic warfare technologies and secure communications. Lastly, expanding our arsenal of advanced armaments for smart weapons.
EDGE Group is known for its commitment to innovation. Can you highlight some of the cutting-EDGE technologies or advancements in unmanned systems that the company is currently working on or planning to explore soon?
As new threats emerge and the security landscape shifts, we remain committed to developing the most advanced technologies and acquiring highly specialised defence companies. In the past two years, we have acquired 12 ground-breaking companies, many of which specialise in the development of autonomous air, land, and sea systems, such as Milrem Robotics and ANAVIA. We also proudly boast UAE-developed unmanned capabilities from HALCON, ADSB and ADASI. Our range of autonomous solutions now covers precision-guided systems, loitering munitions, armed robotic vehicles and fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms, among other capabilities.
Security is a paramount concern, especially in autonomous systems. How does EDGE Group address cybersecurity challenges associated with unmanned solutions, and what measures are in place to ensure the integrity and safety of these technologies?
At EDGE, we dedicate ourselves to developing robust cybersecurity solutions for our customers and have substantially enhanced our cyber capabilities over the past year. The acquisition of ORYXLABS has added award-winning cybersecurity solutions to our portfolio, offering effective monitoring of organisations’ IT landscapes and identification of potential vulnerabilities in digital infrastructure and networks. Additionally, our entity KATIM continues to reinforce our leadership in secure communications, providing ultra-secure smartphones and post-quantum network encryptors to ensure the constant security of sensitive data.
EDGE Group has a global presence. Can you share some insights into how the company tailors its unmanned solutions to meet the diverse needs of different regions around the world?
Unique environmental and operational challenges in the region and across the world necessitate bespoke solutions. As such, our products are customisable to meet specific operational needs, demonstrating our commitment to tailored solutions for our customers. We also ensure close collaboration with end users to understand their specific needs and invest significantly in R&D to enhance our solutions and bolster competitiveness, ensuring the optimal performance and effectiveness of our products.
The integration of artificial intelligence is a key component in autonomous technologies. How is EDGE Group leveraging AI in its unmanned systems, and what benefits or challenges have emerged from this integration?
AI is a driving force in the defence industry and has the potential to transform our capabilities across autonomous systems and smart weapons. Equipped with AI, autonomous systems can increase end-user power and dramatically decrease the danger to human life. As such, we invest significantly in AI development, partnering with key players to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and responsiveness of our systems.
How would you evaluate your recent experience and participation in UMEX 2024?
UMEX 2024 was an outstanding success for EDGE, where our role as the event’s strategic partner for the sixth edition facilitated new partnerships with key industry players. We also introduced three new unmanned solutions – GY300, BUNKER PRO, and M-BUGGY in the air and land domains. UMEX has always been an ideal platform for us to showcase our diverse portfolio of advanced remotely piloted and autonomous solutions, affirming our progress over the past four years, our ambitions as an advanced technology leader, as well as our expanding global presence.
» Interviewed by: «Al Jundi»
