The move will boost the global competitiveness of the Abu Dhabi-based group, strengthen its leading position in space capacity building, and add next-generation solutions to its fast-growing product portfolio with the aim of creating a leading and distinguished space science base, according to a statement published by the Emirates News Agency (WAM).
Fadaa will focus on developing the UAE’s sovereign space capabilities, leveraging the benefits of local and international partnerships, as well as the necessary relationships based on mutual and constructive cooperation through technology and knowledge transfer. Fadaa aims to establish a self-sufficient sovereign space sector that can support national security and secure commercial requirements, supporting the UAE’s leadership, advancing innovation and space technology, and achieving the UAE’s strategic interests in the fields of defense and advanced technology.
“Fadaa” will also make a huge qualitative contribution, as it supports the UAE’s transformation into a knowledge-based economy and achieving the goals of economic diversification on a broader scale, according to the statement.
Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, said that the launch of “Fadaa” will enable EDGE to achieve growth and enhance its presence in the global space sector, in line with the UAE’s vision to become a pioneer in the field of space technology, and contribute to creating a self-sufficient and innovative system with the aim of benefiting from the knowledge momentum to achieve sustainable future growth.
He added: “The qualitative development will add new generation solutions to our product portfolio, which represents a strategic and qualitative leap towards technological excellence and highlights our broader ambitions to become change makers within this vital and important field.”
Fadaa is set to establish advanced facilities for the development, manufacture, assembly, integration and testing of various satellite systems, becoming a unified hub for all space-related activities with the aim of providing comprehensive solutions to local and international customers, including space radar technologies, electro-optical technologies, infrared payloads, as well as satellite structures and satellite cybersecurity.
For his part, Walid Al-Masmari, Head of Space Technology and Cyber Security at EDGE Group, said that with the launch of “Fadaa”, EDGE reinforces its commitment to pioneering advanced technology and establishing local and global partnerships through which it establishes new generation facilities to develop satellite systems, in parallel with building a sustainable and skilled workforce that contributes to the development of the national space sector.
This announcement comes after the selection of “Edge“In November last year, as a prime contractor in a strategic partnership with the UAE Space Agency, to implement the ‘Sarab’ programme, consisting of three wholly-owned intellectual property satellites equipped with space-based radar payloads, which represents one of EDGE’s first projects in the space sector.
The “Sarb” programme aims to launch the first satellite, called “Sarb-1”, by 2026. It is the first national programme to build space radar capabilities implemented by a local industrial consortium led by key players in the private space sector and national centres in the country. It also includes plans to expand cooperation with other players in the sector, small and medium enterprises and start-ups to enhance the programme’s expertise and capabilities.
