The United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based defense technology cluster, EDGE Group, is gearing up to participate in the upcoming Eurosatory, the largest international exhibition for land and air defence systems, in the French capital, Paris.
Announcing their debut attendance at this particular fair, the group expressed via social media their anticipation for the event.
“This year marks EDGE’s inaugural participation at @cogeseurosatory 24, one of the world's premier defence exhibitions, from 17-21 June. Our mission is clear: to present our diverse portfolio of advanced technology and defence solutions, to further strengthen our current partnerships, and to explore new opportunities for collaboration across Europe and beyond,” it wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Commenting on the development, Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, said in a company press release: "This is the first time we are at Eurosatory, a major global industry exhibition that provides us with a critical opportunity to showcase our portfolio of solutions, which have been expertly-selected according to our insights into the global defence landscape, including the European defence theatre. We will be looking to strengthen our current cooperation with existing partners as well as forge new collaborations in Europe and beyond."
During the five-day event, EDGE will showcase variety of products from autonomous air systems like loitering munitions to land systems and smart weapons.
Eurosatory
Eurosatory, held every two years at the Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, has been a significant event since its inception in 1967. Organized in cooperation with the French Ministry of Defence and the organizing company COGES, Eurosatory serves as a platform for fostering business development opportunities, increasing visibility, and networking.
The event offers various services, including tools for facilitating business contacts, organizing meetings, and providing business consultancy services to participating organizations.
In 2022, the fair saw participation from 1,743 companies hailing from 62 countries. Among them, more than 30 Turkish companies showcased their products. The event attracted a total of 62,000 visitors from 150 countries.
In the previous edition in 2018, 1,802 institutions and organizations from 63 countries set up stands at the fair. The event drew a significant crowd of 98,700 individuals from five continents. Moreover, the fair welcomed 227 official delegations from 94 countries and 4 international organizations, along with VIP participants from 34 countries. Notably, 39 country pavilions were established.
In terms of international participation in 2018, the U.S. led with 152 participating institutions and organizations. Germany, the UK, Israel, and Türkiye followed closely with 118, 85, 72, and 61 institutions and organizations respectively.
This year, more than 2,000 companies are slated to participate in Eurosatory,
Meanwhile, France has most recently canceled the participation of Israeli arms companies in the event. This decision comes in the wake of the recent Israeli army bombing of a refugee camp in Rafah. Prior to this move, approximately 74 Israeli industrial companies were expected to attend Eurosatory.
