How UAE defence giant EDGE Group plans to double its exports
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
At its annual media briefing in London, BAE Systems Regional Aircraft announced that it is to provide Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation (MJET) with design integration and certification services in connection with the propulsion systems for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) family.
Business director engineering Mark Taylor, reported that a team from Regional Aircraft will provide consultance, guidance, personnel and engineering expertise on a number of work packages for the aircraft which include powerplant, pylon, nacelle, auxiliary power units and fuel systems.
“We’ve had 22 people working on the programme for just over a year, including engineers in Nagoya [Japan] and Hartford [CT, USA],” Taylor noted, “as well as at our base in Prestwick.” The company has also been working in conjunction with nacelle leader, Goodrich.
BAE Systems Regional Aircraft is the second former airframer from this market to involve itself with the MRJ. Saab has been working on maintenance and aftermarket support ideas with MJET for some time.
Bernie Baldwin, editor, Low-Fare & Regional Airlines/LARAnews.net
The UAE defence conglomerate has put an aggressive strategy in place to increase its share of exports while navigating the growing gap between East and West.
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.