Abu Dhabi-UAE. SIGN4L, a regional leader in the provision of agile, adaptive and reliable electronic warfare and intelligence (EW&I) solutions, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MBDA, a world leader in missile systems offering a comprehensive international product range incorporating today’s most advanced innovations, and CILAS, the French subsidiary of Ariane Group, specialising in laser and optics technology. The three companies are to explore co-development in the field of high-energy laser weapons systems as part of an advanced counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAV) strategy.
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE, on behalf of SIGN4L, Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, and a representative of CILAS, in the presence of key officials from the three entities at the ongoing International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021), underway at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 21 February to 25 February.
Faisal Al Bannai
Under the terms of the MoU, each of the partners is tasked with identifying a potential axis of cooperation in several domains and activities related to high energy lasers, such as operational analysis and systems architecture, while also factoring in potential vulnerability and performance demonstration. The agreement follows up on the bilateral cooperation agreement signed between French Authorities and Tawazun during the Dubai Air Show 2019.
Speaking on the agreement, His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai said: “It is a proud moment for us at SIGN4L and EDGE to bring critical competencies in directed energy to the country and the region as part of our wider strategy on counter-UAV solutions. We are confident our synergies with CILAS and MBDA will further advance the UAE’s defence preparedness, and enable the country to build a secure technological future.”
Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “For the first time, MBDA is engaging in an ambitious cooperation outside Western Europe regarding high-energy laser. 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.”
