Agnes Helou
Agnes Helou was a Middle East correspondent for Defense News. Her interests include missile defense, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons systems and strategic issues in the Middle East and Gulf region.
All Stories By Agnes
Chinese and Saudi firms create joint venture to make military drones in the kingdom
Advanced Communications and Electronics Systems Co. signed an agreement with China Electronics Technology Group Corp., with the two companies announcing their tie-up during the World Defense Show in Riyadh.
Morocco buys Israeli counter-drone system Skylock Dome
The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces says it has intensified its counter-drone acquisitions toward improving recognition and neutralization of UAV threats.
Here’s what stood out at the 2021 Dubai Airshow
While the show is dedicated to both commercial and defense aircraft, this year’s edition seemed to lean heavily toward the former.
UAE Air Force awards $3 billon maintenance contact to local firm GAL
To fulfil this agreement, GAL signed another contract with a separate Edge subsidiary, AMMROC, to perform the maintenance at the latter’s Al Ain facility, which was first unveiled at the 2019 Dubai Airshow.
What’s the advantage of militarizing commercial helos post-sale?
As the aerospace industry attempts to make a monetary comeback from the pandemic, a notable trend among the helicopter sector is seeing one company militarize commercial variants after a sale is complete.
Counter-drone tech at Dubai Airshow reflects UAE’s interest in the capability
Although not as abundant as drones, countermeasures against the unmanned systems are certainly prevalent at this year's Dubai Airshow.
Edge Group’s CEO talks drone swarms, 3D printing and export plans
Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has had the biggest share of announcements at the 2021 Dubai Airshow between systems unveilings, contracts finalizations and the signing of memorandums of understand understanding. But what arguably stands out the most is the number of autonomous systems at the company’s booth, which made up about half of the offerings on display.
Eurosam unveils new SAMP/T air defense variant at Dubai Airshow
The system has a 150-kilometer interception range and a 350-kilometer detection range, and it features a 360-degree multifunctional radar fitted with a rotating active electronically scanned array antenna based on gallium nitride technology.
AIA president says industry is still seeing ‘the impact of COVID even 18 months later’
Though the aerospace sector is working to recover — with the first airshow here in two years — not all companies are moving at the same pace, according to the head of the Aerospace Industries Association.
Saudi Arabia has no interest in the S-400, says Russian industry official
But Rostec is still moving forward with an agreement with India for the S-400, and that the program is on schedule.
