United Arab Emirates defense conglomerate EDGE Group is launching a new company focused on advanced satellite technologies for security and global competitiveness.
The company, named FADA, meaning “space” in Arabic, will serve both domestic and international markets, producing and integrating satellite systems and subsystems.
This includes synthetic aperture radar, optical imaging satellites, and infrared payloads. FADA will also develop cybersecurity and protection technologies, crucial for enhancing the capacity of both the public and private sectors to address increasing cyber threats in the region.
“The launch of FADA will enable EDGE to grow and strengthen its position in the global space industry in line with the UAE’s vision of becoming a leader in space technologies,” said EDGE Managing Director Hamad Al Marar in a press release.
“It creates a blueprint for a self-sufficient and innovative ecosystem. This is a strategic leap toward technological excellence and reflects our broader ambition to be a disruptor in this critical field,” he added.
Since 2019, the UAE has invested over $800 million in building a self-reliant space defense industry, aiming for a leading role in satellite technology by 2030 as part of its National Space Strategy.
Further developments are expected in 2025, as the UAE participates in NASA’s initiative to build a lunar space station, the Lunar Gateway, in partnership with the US, Japan, Canada, and the European Union.