EDGE, the region’s leading advanced technology group for defense and beyond, and one of the world’s top 25 military companies, announced the signing of an agreement between EARTH, an entity within EDGE Group, and L3Harris Technologies, to open a WESCAM MX-Series electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) systems service center in the United Arab Emirates (UAE); EARTH.. L3Harris is one of the world’s leading EO/IR imaging and targeting sensor systems manufacturers.
This strategic agreement, signed at the Dubai Airshow, which is running until 18 November, is aimed at localizing WESCAM MX service capabilities under a WESCAM Authorized Service Center (WASC) through the transfer of knowledge which will support an expansion of the depot-level service capability into an advanced assembly facility.
Omar Al Zaabi, Senior Vice President Head of Program Acquisition at EDGE, said: “By collaborating with L3Harris, we will create an advanced assembly facility enabling end-users here in the UAE and across the region, to fully benefit from both EARTH’s and L3Harris’ turnkey solutions, and greater knowledge sharing, to provide them with the superior technological, engineering, and logistical servicing of WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems.
“EDGE continues to seek strategically important relationships to leverage its position as the regional leader in advanced technologies to deliver to customers cutting-edge solutions across the defense sector and beyond, and to bolster UAE national capabilities in the field.”
Managed mainly by UAE nationals, the enhanced 42,000-square-foot service facility, set to be operational in 2022, will be equipped with the tooling required to service WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems regionally, while localizing maintenance capability to the United Arab Emirates’ Armed Forces.
“L3Harris continues to invest to create an advanced customer-care ecosystem and establish a foundation for self-reliant national defense globally,” said Kristin Houston, President, Electro-optics, L3Harris. “Together with EARTH’s in-country experience and dedication to real-time mission execution, our regional support structure will increase customer operational availability and minimize maintenance turn-around times.”
EDGE brings to the table a considerable amount of experience in the area of EO/IR systems, operating its own cutting-edge Electro-Optics Centre of Excellence (EOCE), the first of its kind facility in the UAE, and largest in the region, which serves as a product development, testing and end-to-end MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility.
EDGE is an advanced technology group established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defense and beyond. Enabling a secure future, it is dedicated to bringing innovative technologies and services to market with greater speed and efficiency.
Consolidating over 25 entities and employing more than 12,000 brilliant minds, it offers expertise across five core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Cyber Defense, Electronic Warfare & Intelligence and Mission Support.
Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a catalyst for change - promoting fast, precise decision-making to revolutionize the industry and change its fundamentals.
L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue and 47,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries.
