UAE defence technology group EDGE has announced that it is accelerating plans to produce low-cost interceptor systems amid a rise in drone attacks across the region. The move aims to reduce the cost of countering hostile drones and complement existing air defence capabilities.

The company has developed two interceptor systems, SHADOW 3 and VORTEX-E, which use artificial intelligence and image-guidance technology to counter hostile drones.

$4 Million Missile Versus $20,000 Drone

Miles Chambers, senior vice president of international business at EDGE Group, said the growing use of low-cost drones had changed the economics of air defence.

He said each Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missile is estimated to cost more than $4 million, while Shahed-type attack drones cost about $20,000 to $50,000.

Chambers said using multimillion-dollar missiles to counter large numbers of inexpensive drones posed a significant economic challenge.

However, EDGE Group has not disclosed the exact price of its new interceptors, saying only that they cost significantly less than conventional missiles.

Two AI-Powered Interceptor Systems Developed

VORTEX-E is designed to counter hostile drones at a range of about 24 kilometres.

SHADOW 3, with a range of more than 30 kilometres and the option of electric or turbojet propulsion, has been developed to counter faster threats.

The company has also introduced the SkyShield and NavControl electronic warfare systems, which can divert or disable hostile drones by jamming or spoofing their communications and navigation systems.

UAE Steps Up Defence Equipment Production

Chambers said regional conflicts had prompted the expansion of production facilities, the introduction of three-shift operations and the acceleration of technology programmes.

He cited earlier remarks by EDGE Group’s chairman, who said that about 80 to 85 per cent of drones intercepted during the conflicts had been countered using solutions developed in the UAE.

The figure also includes locally developed solutions outside EDGE Group’s product portfolio and has not been independently verified.

The company has not disclosed the number of SHADOW 3 or VORTEX-E interceptors produced or ordered for export, but said international demand for counter-drone technology was rising.

Chambers stressed that low-cost interceptor drones are not intended to replace missile defence systems such as Patriot, but are designed to counter different threats and reduce the cost of defensive operations.