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.
The Latvian government has approved the construction of a new terminal by airBaltic at Riga International Airport.
airBaltic president and CEO Bertolt Flick commented, “The infrastructure of the Riga International Airport has already reached its design capacity limits, and so a new terminal is needed to accommodate the growing passenger numbers.”
airBaltic plans to build a terminal with a floor space of 58,000 sq m and which will be able to handle up to 15 million passengers a year. Total investments are expected to amount to more than €92 million. Investments will come from the private sector, and, according to the airline, the project will require no funding or guarantees from the state.
airBaltic will negotiate with the TAV company on the construction and operation of the terminal. The airline is also negotiating with several banks on project financing. Bids for tender on construction and architectural design will be launched in the near term.
Riga International Airport saw a passenger increase of 10.2% last year and expects a 15% increase this year. airBaltic achieved an increase in passenger numbers of more than 30% at Riga, its home base, last year, and earned record profits of €20 million.
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.