UAE showcases Emirati defence industries at FIDAE 2026 in Chile

President José Antonio Kast of Chile inaugurated the International Air, Space, Defence and Security Exhibition (FIDAE 2026) in Santiago. FIDAE is the most significant aerospace and defence exhibition in Latin America, biennially bringing the global industry together at the Pudahuel Air Base in the Chilean capital.

During his tour of the exhibition, the Chilean President visited the pavilion of the EDGE Group, where he praised the UAE’s high-quality participation and the advanced technologies and innovative solutions it offers within the defence and security sectors.

Mohammed Saeed Al Neyadi, UAE Ambassador to Chile, stated that the UAE’s participation in this international event represents a prominent strategic milestone, reflecting its ambitious vision to build qualitative international partnerships in advanced technology and innovation to enhance global security and stability systems.

Al Neyadi explained that the debut of EDGE Group at this prestigious event in South America embodies the growing confidence in advanced UAE capabilities within the defence industries sector. He added that it reflects a strategic vision focused on developing integrated solutions capable of anticipating and responding to future challenges with high efficiency, contributing to the UAE’s leading position on the global stage.

He further noted that relations between the UAE and Chile are witnessing increasing momentum and significant development, driven by a shared will to enhance cooperation in the economic, technical, and investment fields. He emphasised that Chile is an important strategic partner for the UAE in Latin America, given its open economy and environment that supports innovation and international trade.

The ambassador stressed the UAE’s belief in the importance of building bridges of cooperation between nations, noting that partnerships based on knowledge and technology transfer are a fundamental pillar for addressing global challenges and achieving shared development and prosperity.

He concluded by reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to continue working with partners in Chile and Latin American countries to develop cooperation in vital sectors, supporting efforts to achieve stability and sustainable development at both regional and international levels.

In January, Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, said that the defence solutions and products developed by the group now reach more than 100 countries worldwide, reflecting growing international confidence in the UAE’s defence industries.

In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Al Marar said that EDGE entered 2026 with more than 180 ready-to-deploy technological solutions, in addition to around 40 solutions currently under development over the next two years.

He noted that all of these solutions rely on artificial intelligence technologies to enhance defence and security industries manufactured in the UAE.

He explained that the group’s participation in the UMEX and SimTEX 2026 exhibitions reflects the UAE’s leading position in advanced technologies, particularly unmanned systems. He added that EDGE is showcasing an integrated portfolio of land, maritime and aerial products at the event, all of which are unmanned systems.

Al Marar highlighted EDGE’s pivotal role in advancing technological capabilities through the development of smart and advanced solutions and their provision to partners worldwide. He noted that the group employs more than 18,000 staff from 90 nationalities, creating a rich environment of diverse expertise that enhances innovation and sustainable development.

He said, “In the UAE, we take pride in our armed forces and security and police forces, and we strive to provide defence and security products that enable them to perform their daily duties with high efficiency, ensuring that the UAE remains safe for its people and continues to strengthen its position as one of the safest countries in the world.”

Al Marar affirmed that the UAE has always been bold in adopting smart solutions and a pioneer in testing and implementing the latest technologies. He noted that more than 70 per cent of EDGE’s sales over the past year were directed towards exports, spanning unmanned systems, weapons and security solutions. This, he said, reflects the quality of Emirati products and their ability to compete globally, and underscores the UAE’s position as a source of advanced technologies.

In December 2025, The UAE participted in Egypt Defence Expo 2025 (EDEX 2025), which is considered one of the most important platforms specialising in defence and security industries in the region.

WAM