Following the news that HALCON, part of the Edge Group, unveiled SkyKnight air defense system during the International Defense and Exhibition Conference (IDEX) 2021 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE);
Tushar M, Aerospace & Defense Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
“This is a major development that is expected to establish sovereign defense capabilities and will revolutionize the country’s indigenous weapon system development ecosystem. Such programs will also help the country to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on foreign defense contractors.
“SkyKnight has been specifically designed to counter a wide range of modern threats by providing an early warning for precise interception of fixed-wing aircrafts, rotorcrafts and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It can also detect and destroy rockets and incoming mortar and artillery shells. Due to its small form factor, the SkyKnight air defense system is highly mobile and can be deployed on multiple platforms to protect strategic assets, critical military infrastructure, as well as mechanized forces.
“The UAE is expected to supply SkyKnight to German security contractor Rheinmetall AG for integration with the latters Oerlikon Skynex air defense system. The companies are also expected to jointly offer the system for export. The successful collaboration with Rheinmetall AG for SkyKnight air defense system may also offer potential for other joint weapon system development projects in the future. Such projects would play a vital role in expanding the production and export of military technology by the UAE.”
