ADASI is considered one of the leading companies in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East in the field of autonomous systems and services in the air, land, and maritime domains
As a trusted provider of comprehensive solutions, ADASI possesses proven expertise and in-depth knowledge of autonomous systems.
Founded in 2007, ADASI aims to enhance the technological capabilities of its clients and designs autonomous systems that assist clients in facing challenges and executing demanding tasks.
To gain a closer insight into the latest developments of ADASI and its significant future projects, Al-Jundi interviewed Juma Al Kaabi, the CEO of the company, and had the following dialogue with him:
Talk to us about ADASI and its fields of work in general, and about the most prominent products that the company offers to its customers.
As part of EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, ADASI designs and manufactures autonomous systems covering air, land, and maritime domains. We are committed to enhancing the UAE’s defence and autonomous capabilities by building an extensive portfolio of unmanned solutions which perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), logistics, and combat missions.
Our flagship product is the GARMOOSHA, a UAE-made rotary wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). With an 8-hour endurance, a 150 km range, and a payload capacity of 120 kg.
This enables the system to carry a wide variety of payloads, including a stabilised electro-optical sensor for day and night ISR missions.
The QX family is another notable addition to our product portfolio, comprising a range of ISR UAVs and loitering munitions which provide support to ground units and special operations forces. Ranging in size and payload, QX empowers troops with exceptional situational awareness and precision targeting and striking capabilities, amplifying their effectiveness in the field.
Our range of RASH systems is another unique offering, featuring fixed-wing guidance kits that can be seamlessly attached to a standard mortar. These solutions significantly enhance the precision and effectiveness of munitions, bolstering the arsenal of defence forces.
The SHADOW range of loitering munitions stands out with its advanced guidance capabilities, delivering high-precision strikes against fixed targets at impressive speeds and extended ranges. This capability garnered significant recognition, resulting in an AED 1.33 billion contract to supply SHADOW 25 and SHADOW 50 to the UAE Armed Forces. The signing, which took place during IDEX 2023, exemplifies our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions for our customers’ critical requirements.
Launched during IDEX 2023 earlier this year, QX6-50 and AIRTRUCK are built to swiftly transport equipment for military or civilian purposes. Capable of carrying a 50kg payload for up to 200km, QX6-50 can operate autonomously and is highly modular for ease of maintenance and transportation. With an even higher payload of 500kg and a maximum range of 360km, AIRTRUCK is designed for more challenging missions and strategic logistics support such as supplying troops in remote locations, medical evacuation, and reconnaissance.
Looking ahead, ADASI’s dedication to its product development aligns perfectly with EDGE’s mission to enhance the UAE’s autonomous capabilities. Complementing the UAE’s Industry 4.0 agenda, EDGE plays a pivotal role in harnessing advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to develop superior autonomous solutions. Through significant investments in R&D, as well as strategic partnerships with research institutes, EDGE expedites advancements in this domain, positioning the UAE as a leader in the field of autonomous systems.
How important is the UAE and GCC market to ADASI?
The UAE and GCC markets hold significant importance for ADASI. We have a strategic partnership with the UAE’s Ministry of Defence which positions us as a critical player in enhancing the nation’s defence capabilities. This cooperation demonstrates our commitment to working closely with defence stakeholders to deliver cutting-edge autonomous systems which meet the specific operational requirements of our customers.
Beyond the UAE, ADASI is equally attentive to the growing demand in the GCC region. Our solutions are uniquely designed to perform well in hot, humid, and dusty conditions which is a competitive advantage in the GCC region. We make extensive use of the region’s natural environment to ensure solution performance and reliability. However, we also ensure to offer comprehensive and robust solutions for the global market that cater to a wide range of environments and threats.
Our solutions offer an exceptional combination of endurance, range, and payload capabilities. As a testament to our commitment to excellence, ADASI continues to invest in innovation and research and development (R&D) to improve the adaptability, versatility, and reliability of our solutions, thereby enhancing their competitiveness in the international market.
What are your most prominent projects for the next stage?
As the demands of modern warfare are constantly changing, ADASI is developing an end-to-end portfolio of autonomous systems across air, land, and maritime domains, which will push the boundaries in terms of technical excellence, dynamic performance, and modular structural design.
In the next stage, we have several exciting projects in the pipeline which we aim to announce during Dubai Airshow. We are actively working on advancing our autonomous systems, enhancing their capabilities, and expanding their applications. Moreover, we are keen on developing strategic partnerships with international defence companies to collaborate on R&D initiatives and explore new avenues for growth.
What are your company’s future plans and long-term goals?
ADASI’s growth strategy revolves around a commitment to innovation and global expansion. Through forging strategic alliances with global players, we aim to extend our offerings across borders, making a tangible impact on the global stage and seizing export opportunities in line with the UAE’s mandate. Aligned to the main objectives of ‘Operation 300bn’ set out by the Ministry of Industry and Advanced Technology (MoIAT), ADASI and EDGE are supporting the development of a defence industrial base in the UAE to generate in-country value, enhance sovereign capabilities, and position the UAE as a serious global player within the advanced technology industry.
As part of our ambitious roadmap, ADASI is determined to establish itself as a regional centre of excellence for autonomous systems and defence technologies. This entails a focus on enhancing capabilities, refining expertise, and nurturing talent within our ranks. Recognising the importance of attracting and retaining talent to achieve our objectives, ADASI prioritises human capital development to foster an innovative culture and nurture a future talent pool. One of EDGE’s key initiatives, EDGE IGNITE, strategically selects high-achieving STEM engineers from local universities and provides them with immersive training across various companies within EDGE Group. This comprehensive training enhances their expertise in critical domains. Presently, ADASI is hosting 20 UAE National graduates as part of this programme, empowering them to refine their skills and contribute to our growth and development. By placing a major focus on technological advancement and human capital development, ADASI aspires to make a profound contribution to the advancement of autonomous systems on both regional and global levels.
In the long term, we aim to focus on developing a full portfolio of autonomous systems and strengthening the technological capabilities of our customers. We will continue to innovate, integrate, evolve, and develop more of our intellectual property (IP) as we equip our customers for an increasingly autonomous future.
The defence market is currently witnessing intense competition. How is ADASI planning to expand into the global market?
Being a part of EDGE provides ADASI with significant advantages and synergies that facilitate the global market expansion of our products. The collaborative approach within EDGE fosters cross-collaboration and knowledge exchange which supports the development of comprehensive solutions that meet the diverse demands of the global market.
Similarly, EDGE’s extensive network and global presence facilitate our access to international markets and partnerships. This broad reach enables ADASI to expand its customer base and establish a strong global presence in line with its growth strategy.
Profile
- Juma Al Kaabi
- Chief Executive Officer, ADASI
- He is responsible for leading the
- development and implementation of ADASI’s strategy, mission and overall vision
- His previous position was Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of ADASI’s technology, he also held several positions including: Chief of Strategic Programs & Systems, and Chief Programs Officer at ADASI
- He served extensively for over two decades in the UAE Armed Forces, where he worked through several departments encompassing unmanned systems, engineering research and development contracts negotiation, programs management, technical training programs, systems evaluations and aviation maintenance.
- He holds a Master’s in Business Administration from New York Institute of Technology University, UAE and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Embry Riddle Aeronautical Univers
» Interviewed by: «Al Jundi»
