The normalization of relations between the wealthy Gulf country and Israel in 2020 has opened new opportunities for Israeli companies, which are present in large numbers at the Idex and Navdex arms fairs, which are being held this week in Abu Dhabi.
Monday at Navdex, devoted to naval industries, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and the Emirati consortium EDGE, which brings together 25 public armaments companies, presented the first unmanned surface ship (USV) born of their collaboration.
Equipped with advanced sensors, sonar and remotely operated control systems, the vessel could be deployed for surveillance, reconnaissance as well as mine and submarine detection, according to IAI.
"For the first time, we are demonstrating a joint project that shows the capabilities and strengths of both companies in coastal security and mine countermeasures," Oren Guter, who heads the company, told AFP. IAI's naval program.
According to this former captain of the Israeli navy, the unmanned ships aim to counter "threats here in the region" and abroad.
As part of a partnership forged last year, IAI and EDGE are also working on the development of an anti-drone system.
In a sign of the growing ties between the two countries, the Israeli arms giant Elbit Systems has opened a division in the United Arab Emirates, which in January 2022 landed a contract worth around $53 million with the air force. emirates.
“Security is a natural area of cooperation between Israel and the Emirates”, especially in the face of Iranian threats, underlined Torbjorn Soltvedt, of the Verisk Maplecroft risk intelligence company.
On Sunday, Israel accused Iran of being behind the attack on an oil tanker linked to an Israeli businessman, hit, according to the company that operates it, by an “airborne object” in the Arabian Sea. .
The United States and several Gulf countries regularly denounce Tehran's actions in this particularly strategic maritime area, an almost exclusive shipping route to link the Gulf oil countries to world markets.
"Tackling the growing threat to shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman will be a priority," Torbjorn said.
© 2023 AFP