After 2 days of IDEX, the trend anticipated in our magazine that the local industry would be prominent is confirmed, as the contracts awarded in these 2 days testify. Almost €3 billion went largely to local companies.

Calidus is the company that has won the most, with a contract for unspecified tactical vehicles and HEDA anti-tank/multi-purpose missiles, followed by International Golden Group, for the supply of ammunition, not forgetting EDGE, which has also signed several MoUs, including those with ELT Group and Leonardo.

Everyone is also waiting for the announcement of the supply of FALAJ 3 corvettes to the Kuwaiti Navy by the local shipyard ADSB (also controlled by EDGE). The number should be 8 units, but rumours are still circulating in a place where nothing is ever certain. However, it's safe to say that ADSB has become an established reality in the regional shipbuilding sector, and beyond.

The same goes for drones, with products developed by EDGE subsidiaries, the local ADASI as well as the Swiss ANAVIA, that are not just on paper. Consider, for example, the UAE Defence order for 100 REACH-S tactical heavy-lifters or the fact that the JENIAH wingman, unveiled at IDEX two years ago, conducted its first flight in March 2024.

In short, the UAE is no longer just a simple buyer/importer, but a country that wants partnerships at all levels through which to grow even more and further strengthen its industrial base.

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