Paris: At the 2025 edition of the Paris Airshow, EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Thales, a global leader in high technology solutions for defence and security, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation in the production and maintenance of Thales' advanced electro-optic systems.
According to Emirates News Agency, this MoU supports the shared commitment of both parties to strengthen the UAE's sovereign defence capabilities and localise key technologies through sustainable in-country industrial solutions. Under the MoU, EDGE's Electro-Optic Centre of Excellence (EOCE) and Thales will explore the creation of dedicated capabilities in the UAE for a range of Thales' cutting-edge optronic systems currently in operational service with the UAE Armed Forces.
The areas of intended cooperation include the maintenance of Thales' SOPHIE family of thermal imagers, local support for Thales' XTRAIM weapon sights, and maintenance for Thales' advanced vehicular optronics systems. The MoU was signed by Dr. Chaouki Kasmi, President of Technology and Innovation at EDGE, Alexis Morel, Vice-President of the Optronics and Missile Electronics activities at Thales, and Abdelhafid Mordi, Chief Executive Officer of Thales in the UAE.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales Group, and Pascale Sourisse, President of Thales International. By leveraging their respective areas of expertise, EDGE's EOCE and Thales aim to increase operational readiness and lifecycle support for advanced defence technologies deployed across the UAE Armed Forces.
Dr. Chaouki Kasmi commented on the MoU, emphasizing its significance in strengthening local defence capabilities through industrial partnerships. Abdelhafid Mordi expressed pride in deepening the collaboration with EDGE and contributing to the UAE's strategic vision for localised defence readiness, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in the global defence sector.