IDEX 2021: UAE company to work on C-UAV laser with European partners
MoU paves way for cooperation on laser technology as the United Arab Emirates develops an advanced counter-drone strategy.
SIGN4L (the EW subsidiary of the Edge defence conglomerate in the United Arab Emirates) is working with MBDA and laser specialist CILAS to cooperate on the development of high-energy weapon systems, as part of an advanced counter-UAV strategy.
The three parties signed an MoU during the IDEX defence exhibition in Abu Dhabi on 21-25 February.
‘Each of the partners is tasked with identifying a potential axis of cooperation in several domains and activities related to high-energy lasers,’ MBDA noted on 26 February.
Work will cover areas such as operational analysis and systems architecture, while also factoring in potential vulnerabilities and performance demonstration.
Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: ‘For the first time, MBDA is engaging in an ambitious cooperation outside Western Europe regarding high-energy laser [technology]. Collaboration in this field is of a mutual interest, since MBDA and CILAS’s capabilities and experience working on high-energy laser activities for more than 30 years is complementary to SIGN4L’s strong knowledge and expertise regarding them.’
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