MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
As part of its participation in the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) 2024, the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab is showcasing the improved capabilities and the increasing effectiveness of its advanced communication system DeployNet, which was entirely manufactured in the UAE with the participation of young and experienced national cadres.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, the Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) and Simulation and Training Exhibition (SimTEX) runs through January 25 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), with a record participation of over 200 top local and global specialised companies.
In an exclusive interview with Aletihad on the sidelines of UMEX, the Managing Director for Saab in the UAE, Heléne Bittmann, explained that the DeployNet system is designed specifically for military and security operations, as well as crises operations in remote areas.
UMEX 2024 exhibition
The Managing Director said that the DeployNet system showcased at UMEX 2024 was developed locally in cooperation with the Tawazun Council, which "reflects our commitment to supporting the defence sector in the UAE and strengthening our presence in local and regional markets".
She explained that DeployNet operates a 5G/4G network solution, designed as an advanced, deployable communications system that offers high-capacity bandwidth viable for use in challenging environments.
It also delivers the capability for real-time video streaming in high resolution, push-to-talk functionality, and high-speed data transfer, in addition to offering several fundamental benefits, as it guarantees a high-level of cybersecurity and enables multi-scenario use with the possibility of modification, transferability, and high efficiency.
Nurturing Emirati Talents
Since the launch of its operation in the UAE, Saab has been committed to providing the citizens of the UAE with "rewarding" career paths through comprehensive training and development programmes to take part in supporting the growth of the country's economy, said Bittmann. She affirmed that the growth witnessed by Saab in its national workforce is a "testimony" to its commitment to enabling Emirati cadres.
"Saab UAE has witnessed a 200% growth in its Emirati workforce since June 2020, and the company boasts distinguished Emirati cadres in fields of engineering and strategic planning, among others," added Bittmann.
Operations in UAE and 2024 Priorities
Bittmann described Saab as a "global leader" in the field of defence and security, concerned with helping countries and preserving the security of their people and societies.
The company includes over 21,000 professional employees around the world, and it's currently present in over 35 markets, and works with over 100 countries that use its solutions and products, according to Bittmann.
"Saab is considered to be one of the first investors in the UAE, and we take pride in our decades-long strategic partnerships with various entities in the country's defence sector, which began in the 1980s," she added.
In 2018, Saab founded its industrial facility for production and development at the Tawazun Industrial Park (TIP) in Abu Dhabi, where it continues to work on developing advanced products and cultivating its local supply chain, in addition to attracting and training "promising" Emirati cadres, Bittmann said.
She further noted that enhancing its local partnerships and continuously upgrading its exhibitions in the UAE lies at the top of Saab's list of strategic priorities for the year 2024. "Our goal this year is to look for new ways to strengthen cooperation frameworks, while particularly focusing on developing products and continuing to innovate."
Bittmann also affirmed Saab's commitment to continue to nurture and support national talents and competencies, in addition to developing local supply chains, which reflects positively on the sector as a whole.