Through a large national pavilion featuring 15 major Emirati companies, the United Arab Emirates showcased its significant capabilities at Eurosatory 2024, the world’s largest international defence and security exhibition, held in Paris, France, from 17 to 21 June 2024.
Under the theme “Protect Your Future,” this year’s event focused on innovation and advanced technologies in defence and security. The exhibition highlighted more than 500 modern solutions and provided participants with the opportunity to gain knowledge and network with experts and leading companies in the field.
The UAE’s national pavilion was supported by the Ministry of Defence and the Tawazun Council and organized by the Emirates Defence Companies Council. The pavilion featured participation from several national defence industry companies, including EDGE Group, Yahsat, and K Technologies, alongside Capital Events and Al Jundi Journal, issued by the Ministry of Defence.
Anas Al Otaiba: Eurosatory 2024 is a Key Opportunity for Enhanced Cooperation and Partnerships
Anas Naser Al Otaiba, General Manager of the Emirates Defence Companies Council (EDCC), stated, “We are proud to participate in Eurosatory 2024 under the umbrella of the UAE national pavilion, where 15 Emirati companies showcased key defence products, all made in the UAE.” He emphasised that UAE defence products are no longer merely participating but are competing with the world’s leading companies in the field.
Al Otaiba added that the UAE pavilion at Eurosatory stood out with new products presented by Emirati companies, some recently developed and others in partnership with other countries. He noted that most of the defence products displayed at the pavilion reflected the advanced stage of the UAE’s defence industries.
He explained that the UAE national pavilion’s participation in Eurosatory 2024 is part of the council’s strategy to develop and enhance the capabilities of its member companies by highlighting their participation in major global defence industry exhibitions. This strategy aims to propel UAE industries to global leadership and expand opportunities for international cooperation and partnerships.
Al Otaiba affirmed that many specialists and official delegations visiting the UAE pavilion expressed admiration for the progress and development of the country’s defence industry, supported by the UAE’s wise leadership and continuous research and development.
He pointed out that participation in this major international event is an important opportunity to enhance cooperation and partnerships with international companies and exchange expertise and knowledge, contributing to the UAE’s position as a leading nation in the defence and security sector.
“We aspire to expand our presence in global markets, meet the needs of our international partners, and believe that innovation and technological development are key to success in this field. We will continue to support Emirati companies on their journey to achieve more accomplishments and innovations,” he concluded.
Introduction to the Emirati Satellite Communications Industry
Jassem Nasser, Chief Business Development Officer at Thuraya Telecommunications Company, stated, “Eurosatory 2024 is an important opportunity for us to introduce professionals from around the world to the Emirati satellite communications industry.”
Moreover, Nasser added that “participating in Eurosatory 2024 enabled us to showcase new devices and advanced products under the umbrella of Yahsat and Thuraya, and engage with a specialised audience in the defence sector.”
Promoting IDEX and NAVDEX 2025
Furthermore, Saeed bin Khadim Al Mansouri, Defence Exhibitions Advisor at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Centre (ADNEC), stated, “This participation is part of ADNEC Group’s strategy to promote the upcoming editions of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) and the Naval Defence Exhibition (NAVDEX) in the UAE in February 2025.”
He added, “Participating in this major exhibition in Europe allows us to connect with participating companies and invite them to IDEX and NAVDEX.”
Al Mansouri continued, “Our presence at the UAE pavilion serves as an important platform for participating Emirati companies. The presence of official delegations and specialised visitors reflects the significance of our pavilion, providing an opportunity to highlight the advancements and progress the UAE has made in defence and security and to promote our upcoming exhibitions, which are among the most prominent on the global defence events calendar.”
A Platform for Showcasing Cutting-Edge Innovations in Defence and Security
Eurosatory is a strategic event for defence and security technology, bringing together over 1,750 companies from 62 countries, making it one of the largest global gatherings in this field.
The exhibition serves as a crucial platform for showcasing the latest innovations and products in the defence and security sectors, offering participating companies and organisations the opportunity to exchange knowledge and expertise and build strategic partnerships.
The UAE national pavilion at the exhibition stood out for its diversity and comprehensiveness, featuring companies that showcased a wide range of advanced technologies and innovative products in the fields of defence and security.
Moreover, it attracted a large number of visitors and participants, with numerous meetings and discussions held with representatives of global companies and government entities, aiming to enhance international cooperation and partnerships in defence and security.
Furthermore, the UAE’s participation in this global event reaffirms its leading position in the defence and security sector, its continuous efforts to enhance its technological and industrial capabilities, and its support for innovation and development in this vital field.
Commander of the UAE Ground Forces Attends the Opening of Eurosatory 2024
Major General Yousef Mayouf Al Halami, the Commander of the UAE Ground Forces, attended the opening of Eurosatory 2024. During the event, he visited several global defence companies participating in the exhibition and was briefed on the latest Emirati defence industries showcased at the UAE national pavilion.
Additionally, Al Halami met with General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Land Forces, on the sidelines of the exhibition.
EDGE and Thales Collaborate to Develop Wireless Communication Systems in the UAE
KATIM, a subsidiary of EDGE Group specialising in secure communication products and solutions, and Thales have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate on the development of software-defined wireless communication systems in the UAE.
The Letter of Intent was signed by Didier Pagnoux, CEO of KATIM; Abdelhafid Mordi, CEO of Thales in the UAE and Christophe Groshenry, Vice President of Radio at Thales, at the Eurosatory Defence and Security Exhibition.
The signing ceremony was attended by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group; Waleid Al Mesmari, President, of Space & Cyber Technologies of EDGE Group; Pascale Sourisse, President and CEO of Thales International; and Christophe Dumas, Executive Director of Secure Communications and Information Systems at Thales in France.
To meet the demands of the UAE’s large-scale high-tech programmes and its exportation needs, KATIM and Thales will work jointly on the full cycle development, production and maintenance of airborne and long-range HF (high frequency) radio communication solutions.
Both companies will bring their expertise to the partnership and will promote and export the co-developed solutions-based portfolio to the international market.
EDGE and France’s KNDS Collaborate in the Land Defence Sector
EDGE, the global technology and defence group, announced a cooperation agreement with KNDS, a European manufacturer specialising in military land systems, during the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition. This partnership aims to enhance industrial and commercial relations in the land defence sector.
The collaboration seeks to elevate joint efforts between EDGE and KNDS in several key areas within the land defence sector, including the joint development and production of ammunition and weapon systems.
Additionally, the partnership aims to offer the latest defence solutions by combining the mutual expertise and technological advancements of both organisations.
By: Razi Izzeddin El-Hadmi
