"Naval Group" Showcasing the latest unmanned marine technologies in "UMEX"

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Abu Dhabi, January 20 / WAM / The French Naval Group is showcasing the latest unmanned maritime technologies during its participation in the Unmanned Systems Exhibition “UMEX” held at the ADNEC Center in Abu Dhabi.

Guillaume Patou, Director of Naval Group in the UAE, said in statements to the Emirates News Agency, WAM, that the group’s participation in UMEX reflects its commitment to supporting the transition towards unmanned systems, by showcasing its capabilities in the field of unmanned underwater systems, unmanned surface drones, and the integration of unmanned aircraft with warships, as they are key components in the next generation of maritime capabilities.

Patou explained that the Naval Group is one of the most prominent French companies specialized in maritime defense, as it provides its services to the French Navy and a number of navies around the world, and its activities include designing, building and maintaining submarines, frigates and corvettes, in addition to developing combat systems and managing naval battles.

Pato pointed out that the group established its operations in the country in 2010, and in 2019 signed a major contract to supply two frigates and two corvettes to the UAE Navy, pointing out that the two corvettes were delivered in 2023 and 2024 and are today in full operational service.

He added that cooperation with the UAE Navy has expanded to include additional contracts, including torpedo systems and in-service support services for corvettes, in addition to a clear focus on nationalization and building national capabilities, in line with the UAE’s vision to develop its defense industries.

In this context, Pato revealed the signing of a major technology transfer agreement in 2023 related to the Combat Management System (CMS), which is considered the “brains of the ship,” stressing that this step represents an important station in the path of empowering national competencies and enhancing local content.

Pato explained that the group is working to strengthen its partnerships with the UAE defense industry system, most notably the existing cooperation with the EDGE Group and a number of other national companies, whether in the areas of local manufacturing, integration of systems and equipment, or future projects related to upcoming naval programs.

Regarding the group’s aspirations in the Middle East region, Pato stressed that “UMEX” represents a specialized platform in drone technologies, which intersects with the approach of Naval Group, which established a department specializing in unmanned systems about two to three years ago, even though its investments in this field extend for more than 15 years.

Pato pointed out that the group, in the UAE, is working to enhance its capabilities in integrating unmanned aircraft with frigates, noting that this integration has already been achieved in previous projects with the UAE Navy.