July 6, 2020

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) subsidiary ELTA Systems signed an historic collaboration agreement with Group42 of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) for research and development of solutions that may help fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The agreement was signed on July 3 via a video conference at which representatives of ELTA and Group42 discussed how artificial intelligence, lasers and sensors could be used in breakthrough medical and technological initiatives to benefit people in the entire region. Israel and the UAE do not have diplomatic relations.

“Covid-19 does not distinguish between continents, peoples and religions. We attach the utmost importance to a collaborative initiative that would yield breakthrough solutions,” said Yoav Turgeman, IAI VP and CEO of ELTA. “We are now proud to join forces with Group 42 from UAE and take the first step in what may become future joint work by the two countries.”

As the novel coronavirus began spreading across the globe, IAI evaluated various ways to offer its technological know-how in radars, satellite technologies, unmanned aircraft, civilian aviation and cybersecurity to help Israel on the national level. IAI has collaborated with healthcare and defense parties, with the Directorate of Defense Research & Development, and with the State Companies Authority to understand the needs as they emerged.

Formed more than five decades ago in Ashdod, ELTA Systems has established a leading position in the local and global markets for state-of-the-art solutions for defense, paramilitary, government and law enforcement customers and the civilian market. Its extensive portfolio includes remote sensing and radar systems for mission aircraft, national cybersecurity administration, ground robotics, anti-drone, homeland defense systems and more.

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