As technological advancements accelerate and security threats grow more complex, the need for advanced, locally developed defence solutions becomes increasingly critical. These capabilities not only bolster national sovereignty but also ensure alignment with the evolving demands of modern warfare. In this context, Al Jundi Journal interviewed Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, to discuss the organisation’s pivotal role in developing sovereign technologies and had the following dialogue with him:
As President of Technology & Innovation at EDGE Group, how do you define EDGE’s approach to driving indigenous innovation across its business clusters?
Our approach to driving home-grown innovation at EDGE is simple. We place a strong focus on the rapid development of a highly disruptive portfolio of globally competitive products, paired with calculated investments in emerging technologies and strategic partnerships that generate long-term in-country value. Within the Technology and Innovation Cluster at EDGE Group, our work is primarily related to the research and development (R&D) of cutting-edge technology in the areas of radars, electro-optics, electronic warfare (EW), and artificial intelligence (AI). A vital point about our work is that once our R&D efforts transpire into commercially-viable solutions, that technology is injected into EDGE Group’s portfolio, adding further capabilities and flexibility for integrating advanced sub-systems.
What are some of the Group’s recent milestones in R&D and disruptive technology development that reflect its position as a global player in advanced technology?
We are achieving significant milestones on our critical defence technology programmes. Earlier this year, EDGE conducted a successful programmed flight test for the SKYKNIGHT air defence missile. We successfully proved the functionality of remote launch control, vertical cold launch, missile tip-over control, transition to midcourse guidance control, missile flight control, and the Multi-Sensor Unit (MSU) radar’s detection and tracking capabilities. With the launch of our Radar and EW Centre of Excellence and our Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) last year, we recently unveiled our family of active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars designed for active protection systems (APS) and ground-based air defence systems, and the MIRSAD family of advanced EO systems.
How is EDGE leveraging AI and autonomous systems to strengthen the UAE’s sovereign defence capabilities?
We are leveraging these distinct areas of technology in different ways. We are currently utilising AI to assist in rapidly turning satellite data into actionable information for strategic and tactical situational awareness. This is being done through our recently unveiled TACTICA, a next-generation AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform designed for large-scale monitoring, tactical operations, enhancing situational awareness, operational efficiency, and decision-making.
We are also utilising AI to enhance the capabilities of our sensors, taking them from smart to intelligent systems. Our radars and electro-optic solutions are not only able to detect targets of interest, but through AI and machine learning, can also accurately classify and track different targets. In autonomous technology, we are primarily automating guidance and control, and easing the cognitive burden on end-users. A prime example is our REACH-S unmanned aerial system, which features automated take-off and landing as well as automated flight paths.
How does EDGE balance rapid prototyping and operational deployment, while maintaining a strong focus on cyber resilience and systems security?
This is where the importance of synergies within the EDGE ecosystem comes into play. We have separate entities dedicated to rapid prototyping and operational deployment. For example, ADVANCED CONCEPTS accelerate the scaling of critical innovation projects from concept definition to the technical feasibility stage six and above, initial operational capability, and detailed engineering design, before handing these projects back to EDGE’s wider portfolio of companies for industrialisation.
In terms of cybersecurity, we have entities such as ORYXLABS that offer advanced digital solutions that help enterprises monitor, protect, and improve their networked environments.
The most important point here is that we take a holistic approach to the challenges that our customers face and subsequently offer solutions across a range of entities that are hyper-focused on specific domains.
Can you elaborate on the role of the new Centres of Excellence and how they contribute to fast-tracking EDGE’s technological advancements and product development cycles?
Our new Centres of Excellence will enhance the development of EDGE’s aggressive product roadmap through consolidating our core capabilities in radar, EW, and EO systems. The three most significant areas of contribution are developing innovative and tailored technologies, streamlining and improving company efficiencies, and incubating national talent. As I previously mentioned, we have already brought advanced radars and EO sensors to market since launching the centres almost one year ago, and these systems have direct applications with other solutions within EDGE’s portfolio.
How do you foster a culture of innovation across EDGE’s companies and subsidiaries while maintaining alignment with operational and strategic defence requirements?
It is important to understand that our culture of innovation is fostered by our customers’ requirements and the evolving security landscape. If adequately maintaining a state’s national security in the modern world required relatively simple technology, then that would be our focus. But necessity is the mother of invention, and states are facing complex threats across multiple domains. The bottom line is that EDGE and its entities are driven by solving the challenges that our customers face.
What partnerships, locally and internationally, are most critical to EDGE’s R&D and innovation strategies?
Our local and international partnerships are critical to our broader strategy to create a strategically independent defence industry, which in turn supports our R&D and innovation strategies. Locally, we are focused on partnerships that contribute to the development of a united industrial ecosystem that enables sovereignty over the ownership and production of critical technology. Just recently, EDGE signed a memorandum of understanding to deliver an advanced cable harness manufacturing facility to a UAE-based company. Expanding resilient and specialised supply chains within the UAE is also a key priority, supporting long-term self-sufficiency and national capability.
Internationally, we are focused on mutually beneficial partnerships that offer maximum value in terms of expanding our global footprint and localising advanced technology. A prime example is our work on the MANSUP anti-ship missile project, which includes a strategic license to acquire the intellectual property of the MANSUP-ER (Extended Range) variant.
Cybersecurity and electronic warfare are becoming increasingly vital. How is EDGE leveraging innovation to address threats in the digital battlespace?
In terms of the digital battlespace, what is most important to our customers is that we offer cybersecurity solutions that are customised to their operational environments and EW systems focused on protection and support. The cybersecurity field is constantly reacting to new and emerging threats, which is why we take a proactive approach to protecting our customers’ sensitive data and communications infrastructure. As seen in our current portfolio, our focus in the radar and EO domain is on offering systems that protect mission-critical equipment and assets, and support operations in delivering actionable situational awareness data in near-real-time.
What role does EDGE play in nurturing local talent and building the UAE’s next generation of defence engineers and technologists?
We are strongly committed to nurturing local talent. We understand that a sustained industry cannot be imported; it has to be developed. At an entity level, our young Emirati engineers work with the world’s leading minds across multiple defence-related fields. They are also encouraged to take their academics further through guidance and support in pursuing master’s degrees and participation in international events and conferences.
What we really need to understand is the impact of our work. At an EDGE level, our investments in localising advanced technology and rapidly expanding the UAE’s industrial base are creating rare opportunities for Emirati engineers to join a thriving defence industry. In the long term, we are investing in the creation and diversification of the UAE’s knowledge economy.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of defence technology, and how is EDGE preparing to lead in that space?
The future of UAE defence technology is an exciting space to be a part of. EDGE is leading in the development and production of smarter and safer solutions through capitalising on emerging technologies and strategic partnerships. Firstly, we see AI playing a vital role in the future of smart solutions. From advanced learning processes to rapid decision making, the cognitive burden will be drastically eased in the coming years. Secondly, we are heavily investing in autonomous systems. These solutions act as powerful force multipliers across the air, land, and sea domains and are set to play a significant role in future theatres. Most importantly, AI and autonomous systems reduce the risk to human life. Sensors and systems integrated with AI will be capable of acquiring and processing large amounts of data, and rapidly distilling it into information that can inform better decision-making. With the cognitive burden eased on soldiers and commanders, the chance for human error is reduced. At a tactical level, autonomous systems offer fewer boots on the ground, permitting an armed force to do more with fewer soldiers at risk.
In essence, we are positioning ourselves as leaders in advanced defence technology that offers our customers heightened situational awareness and powerful force projection in an increasingly unmanned future.
Interviewed by: ALJUNDI
