EDGE unit in deal with Thales to boost UAE defence radio, IFF solutions
ABU DHABI, March 1, 2025
Abu Dhabi-based advanced technology group EDGE has announced that one of its key units, Earth, has signed an agreement with Thales, a global high technology and defence major, to strengthen their collaboration in radio communications and Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) solutions.
As per the deal inked at the recent Idex-Navdex2025, Thales will provide military radios and advanced IFF transponders to Earth, as system integrator on UAVs. The IFF solution, a miniature and lightweight transponder, is specifically designed for UAVs, helicopters, and transport platforms.
It offers future-proof capabilities, including the potential integration of GPS and detect & avoid features, further strengthening mission-critical situational awareness.
This agreement reflects Thales’s strategic ambitions in the UAE, reinforcing its long-standing presence as a trusted partner in defence, aerospace, digital, and cybersecurity.
With 1,700 employees in the region, including 550 in the UAE, Thales has been developing sovereign solutions, investing in local talent, and fostering industrial partnerships to support the country’s national vision.
Earth is a major provider of engineering, systems integration, and procurement services to defence, national security and public safety clients in the UAE and internationally.
Thanks to its expertise, Earth has been elected by the UAE Air Force Air Defence as the system integrator to equip various airborne platforms with Thales radios and IFF, said a top official.
"EDGE Group’s strategic collaboration with Thales reflects our unwavering commitment to equipping the UAE’s armed forces with the world’s most reliable military communication technologies," remarked Hazzaa Al Alabdouli, the CEO of Earth.
"By integrating Thales’ cutting-edge radios and IFF solutions into airborne platforms, we are enhancing mission-critical capabilities while reinforcing local expertise and innovation in our defence systems integration," he noted.
Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice-President, Thales Secure Communications & Information Systems, said: "Our partnership with Earth is a testament to our commitment to developing cutting-edge defence technologies and strengthening the UAE’s defence ecosystem."
Present in the UAE for more than five decades, Thales has played a key role in equipping land, sea, air, and space platforms with innovative electronic systems, including radars, sensors, sonars, communication systems, and digital solutions, he stated.
"By localising expertise and co-developing advanced solutions, Thales is committed to helping build a more resilient and self-sufficient defence industry," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
