EDGE signs agreements with Hungary's 4iG SDT to localise defence solutions for European and African markets
Abu Dhabi, UAE: EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, and 4iG Space and Defence Technologies (SDT), one of the leading telecommunications, IT, and space and defence industrial groups in Hungary and the Western Balkans, have signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to establish significant and expansive industrial cooperation between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hungary.
During an official UAE state visit to Hungary, EDGE and 4iG SDT signed three MoUs aimed at enabling a broad technology partnership to jointly develop, localise, and market advanced defence systems, including EDGE's SKYKNIGHT air defence missile system, SHADOW 25 and SHADOW 50 loitering munitions, and VEGA and ORION unmanned air traffic control solutions.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO, EDGE, said: 'Our goal with partners such as 4iG SDT is to aid nations in developing and achieving advanced sovereign defence technology and industrial capabilities. The global security landscape has necessitated modernisation programmes to capitalise on the latest autonomous technology and address rapidly evolving aerial threats. This collaboration strengthens EDGE's ability to deliver competitive, NATO-compatible, and export-ready solutions, not only in support of Hungary's national objectives, but also as a gateway to deeper engagement across Europe and NATO member states.'
István Sárhegyi, CEO of 4iG SDT, said: 'The agreements signed today mark a milestone in 4iG SDT international defence industry efforts. Through this partnership with one of the world's fastest-growing defence technology companies, we can develop systems with strong potential for success in both European and African markets on a mutual basis. EDGE's trust and openness provide an opportunity for Hungary to become a strategic player in the global defence innovation ecosystem.'
Under the first agreement, the two companies will establish a broad technological partnership to co-develop and explore market opportunities of next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UASs), counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions, and space technologies in Central and Eastern Europe, and Africa. The agreement also covers the potential establishment of a joint venture.
The second agreement is focused on the potential development and production of EDGE's rapidly deployable SKYKNIGHT inner-layer air defence missile system and SHADOW line of precision-strike loitering munitions in Hungary.
The final agreement is aimed at offering EDGE's VEGA uncrewed traffic management and ORION drone fleet management systems to the European market, with the potential to jointly develop air traffic control solutions. The MoU also includes the assessment of a joint venture to serve as a European development and sales hub for VEGA and ORION.
Following an MoU between EDGE and 4iG SDT signed earlier this year to co-develop UAS and space technologies, the three subsequent agreements underscore EDGE's renewed commitment to strengthening ties with key European defence ecosystems and to delivering jointly developed, export-ready solutions that meet the technological and security requirements of NATO countries.
About EDGE
Launched in November 2019, the UAE's EDGE is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly-skilled talent to thrive.
With a focus on the adoption of 4IR technologies, EDGE is driving the development of sovereign capabilities for global export and for the preservation of national security, working with front-line operators, international partners, and adopting advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials. EDGE converges R&D, emerging technologies, digital transformation, and commercial market innovations with military capabilities to develop disruptive solutions tailored to the specific requirements of its customers. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE, EDGE consolidates more than 35 entities into six core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Trading & Mission Support, Technology & Innovation, and Homeland Security.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Business
4 minutes ago
- Gulf Business
Thales' Roque Carmona on its supply chain strategy and the future of procurement
Image: Supplied As the UAE continues its push to become a global hub for advanced manufacturing and sustainable industrial development, global players like Thales Group are playing an increasingly central role in shaping the region's industrial future. At the recent edition of 'Make it in the Emirates', Roque Carmona, group chief procurement officer at Thales, spoke with Gulf Business about the company's evolving supply chain strategy, the growing significance of local partnerships, and how regional ecosystems are key to long-term resilience. Carmona, who leads Thales' procurement globally, is a vocal advocate for treating suppliers not as vendors but as strategic partners. His emphasises the importance of innovation, trust, and regional capability-building. With Thales now working with 20 local suppliers through its Go to UAE initiative — up from nine in 2024 — the company's investment in the Emirates continues to deepen. Carmona's remarks also reflect broader trends shaping global procurement: regionalisation, automation, and the intensifying battle for talent. Here are excerpts from the chat. Tell us about your role and how it connects with what you're doing here in the UAE? I'm the group chief procurement officer for At Thales, we take a regional approach, creating local ecosystems not just globally, but in Europe, India, the Americas, and increasingly here in the Emirates. The UAE is an important region for us now as it grows its aerospace and With all the geopolitical tensions and post-pandemic disruptions, how has your procurement strategy adapted to stay resilient? This is our core job: navigating complexity. One key strategy we use is multi-sourcing, which means having two sources of supply in two different regions. That way, if a crisis hits — whether it's pandemic, conflict, or anything else — we're not stuck. It's about securing supply without compromising on time, quality, or cost. You call it backup; we call it second source. Technology, especially AI, is changing business across sectors. How is it influencing procurement and supply chain operations at Thales? AI and advanced technology are impacting our world in two major ways. First, by helping us capture innovation from our suppliers — some studies suggest that up to 66 per cent of innovation comes from suppliers, and I believe that. Second, through resource sourcing: finding the right technologies and capabilities in fields like cybersecurity, software development, optronics, and laser systems. It's about identifying the right partners and making sure the know-how is in place, globally and locally. Last year at Make it in the Emirates, you onboarded nine UAE suppliers under the 'Go to UAE' initiative. Where does that stand now? We've expanded from nine to 20 suppliers now. The initial group has been through a stringent qualification process, proving their ability to meet aerospace and defence standards — what we call special processes at Thales. These partners are now ready not only to serve us locally but also to expand globally. It's a sign of the UAE's industrial potential. What do you look for when evaluating suppliers, especially in this region? We look at the following factors: Industrial maturity — not just having the right machines, but the right mindset, systems, and integrity. Quality DNA — suppliers must deliver on time and to specification, every time. Competitiveness — we want partners who understand the market and continuously improve. And increasingly, we look at cybersecurity, safety standards, and ethical practices. Trust is non-negotiable in our line of work. What has stood out about the UAE's industrial and procurement ecosystem at this year's forum? The vision and support from leadership here is remarkable. The environment is business-friendly and agile. Geographically, the UAE is also well-placed — close to rare earths and with the ability to attract global talent. We're here not just to build in the Emirates, but to build for the region, and possibly support neighboring countries too. What more can the region do to attract partners like Thales? Keep investing in talent development — not just engineers, but also skilled technicians and industrial workers. Continue to fund supplier capacity and innovation, and most importantly, maintain the UAE's agile procurement model. That flexibility is what makes working here so appealing. Looking ahead, what trends do you see shaping global supply chains? Three stand out: Talent wars — every sector is competing for the right people. Regionalisation — not the end of globalisation, but a move toward regional sovereignty in supply chains. Automation and AI — they're already influencing how we work and what we deliver, especially in aerospace and defense. Finally, from a leadership standpoint, what values do you bring to your team and this mission? Be present. Know what's happening on the ground. And most of all — be agile. The world is too uncertain to stick to a single strategy. A leader today must stay flexible and open-minded. Even if you're heading in one direction, be ready to shift if needed.
Khaleej Times
4 minutes ago
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Gold prices gain Dh5 per gram in 24 hours, hit one-month high
Gold prices in Dubai have jumped Dh5 per gram in the past 24 hours, hitting a month high. On Tuesday morning, the 24K variant of the precious metal was trading at Dh408.75 per gram compared to last week's close of Dh403.75. Among the other variants, 22K, 21K and 18K have jumped to Dh378.5, Dh362.75 and Dh311 per gram, respectively. Spot gold was steady at $3,388.61 per ounce on Tuesday morning. The precious metal is supported by a weaker US dollar and lower Treasury yields, as investors looked for progress in trade talks ahead of an August 1 deadline. The US dollar index was hovering near a more than one-week low against its rivals, making greenback-priced gold less expensive for other currency holders, while benchmark 10-year US Treasury yields hit a more than one-week low on Monday. Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone, said the precious metals complex has been the clear beneficiary of the technical breakdown in the US dollar index, with the intraday relationship between gold and the dollar becoming notably tight. He added that client volumes on gold have picked up over the past 24-36 hours, with gold holding the top spot as the most traded market. 'The upbeat flows through the market have seen spot gold emphatically breakout of $3,370 to $3,300 trading range it has held since early July, with front-month gold futures settling firmly above $3,400 and holding the big figure through Asia,' he said.
UAE Moments
4 minutes ago
- UAE Moments
India's Titan Acquires 67% of Damas Jewellery to Expand GCC Reach
Titan Company, part of India's Tata Group, is stepping up its jewellery game big time! On July 21, Titan announced it's buying a 67% stake in Damas Jewellery — a brand that's basically a household name in the Middle East. The deal is worth around AED 1.04 billion, and it's being handled by Titan's international arm, Titan Holdings International FZCO. They're buying the shares from Mannai Corporation of Qatar, and they expect everything to be wrapped up by January 2026 (pending the usual approvals, of course). What's in It for Titan? Titan already has its Tanishq brand out here in the GCC and the US, but it mostly caters to the Indian community. With Damas on board, Titan gets to level up and tap into a much broader customer base, including locals and other expats across the region. Managing Director C.K. Venkataraman said this deal takes Titan beyond just diaspora jewellery and into the GCC mainstream. He called Damas a "prestigious brand" known for quality and innovation — and clearly, they're excited about the talent, stores, and supply chain that come with it. Quick Deal Breakdown Stake acquired: 67% now Remaining 33%: Titan can buy after December 2029 Value: AED 1.038 billion Closing: By January 31, 2026 Payment: Cash + internal resources + debt Meet Damas: The GCC's Go-To Jeweller Founded way back in 1907, Damas has 146 stores across UAE, Saudi, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Its style? A blend of Arabian heritage meets modern flair — basically, a hit with both locals and high-end expats. Revenue-wise, it's doing just fine: AED 1.46 billion in FY2024, growing year after year. Mannai's Take Mannai Corporation, the seller, is also happy with the deal. Their CEO, Alekh Grewal, said the proceeds will help them double down on their core businesses and clear up some debt. So, win-win!
