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 third Sukhoi Superjet 100 flight prototype, SN95004 (pictured at its roll-out), has landed at Yakutsk airport where it will undergo cold soak trials.
These trials are required to examine the ability of the aircraft and its systems to resist temperature shock. The testing aims to validate the standard flight preparation of the aircraft after short (up to 2 hours) and long (no less than 12 hours) parking and to confirm systems performance, including the warming up time, prior to departure. The interior temperature in both the cockpit and the passenger cabin is also a part of the trials.
Overall, the main checks will refer to engine launch procedures, fuel system and environmental system functionality. For this current set of tests it was necessary to employ SSJ100 SN95004, as this aircraft features full crew cockpit interior and passenger service equipment – the interior, a kitchen and a lavatory – representing full certification configuration. The launch and systems operations will be monitored by a tailored onboard control system.
Yakutsk lies in the planet’s coldest inhabited area. The airport there is a traditional place for cold soak trials for Russia’s aeronautics industry. Average February temperature in Yakutsk reaches –35°С.
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.