Tony Chegwidden, the Director of Business Development International at EDGE Group, is sharing his thoughts regarding the group’s focus and collaboration in Malaysia and in the Southeast Asia region with Yulian Ardiansyah from GBP’s Daily News.
Tell me about EDGE Group and the products the company is bringing to DSA 2024?
EDGE Group consolidates defence industry in the UAE, over 24 different companies under the group. On the stand we also have a global presence with companies like SIATT from Brazil, Anavia from Switzerland, and Milrem Robotics from Estonia. So their products are also here at the stand as well as our own-designed and developed products from the UAE, representing the sovereign capability that we’ve managed to build-up.
We’re in the top 25 defence companies in the world, and you can see the representation of all our products each from our different clusters or divisions, ranging from missiles and precision guided weapons, air defence systems, our strong portfolio of autonomous systems, including UAVs for logistics, ISR capable, loitering munitions, along with Abu Dhabi’s shipbuilding for both commercial and naval vessels, along with electronic warfare and cyber defence solutions.
And, of course, along with our firearms, small arms, and ammunition products that we’re bringing to the market.
We’re pleased to be here at DSA 2024 because Southeast Asia is also an important market to us, and we’re growing into this market by making more connections and dealing with customers from the region.
Are there any specific products that you’re highlighting for the countries in this region?
Here in Southeast Asia, autonomous systems technology is the major focus of EDGE Group. We bring that for the air and land (systems) demands, and also developing autonomous naval capabilities.
Aside from autonomous systems, we’re also focused on precision-guided weapons, and electronic warfare, cyber security, and border control.
Regarding collaboration with local industry?
We have strong collaboration throughout the region, with representation in the Philippines, as well as having strong connections in Indonesia and Malaysia with our partners in the industry. We’re also looking at what we can do some more for our partnership for our industry development.
For example, in Malaysia, we have a partnership with Ketech for the Caracal rifles for the Malaysian Army.
How do you see the development of the defence industry in this region especially in Malaysia for the next five to ten years?
I think that’s being reflected in the budget. Malaysia is not only growing its defence requirements but also their industry to match that.
So I’d say the defence industry in Malaysia is continuing to evolve, and that’s something the EDGE Group is hoping to be a part of and working strongly with the industry here in Malaysia.
