Abu Dhabi-based Halcon rolls out UAE’s first air defence missile

Abu Dhabi-based Halcon rolls out UAE’s first air defence missile

Abu Dhabi-based HALCON, manufacturer of precision-guided systems, unveiled SkyKnight - the first UAE designed and manufactured counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) missile system.

The system was on display at the International Defence and Exhibition Conference (IDEX) 2021 taking place in Abu Dhabi.

Edge Group, parent company of Halcon, has been developing a short-range air defence system, as has Germany-based Rheinmetall, which was seeking a missile system to form part of its Skynex air defence system. Halcon has provided SkyKnight, the missile system, to the Oerlikon Skynex Air Defence System.

Halcon's SkyKnight was designed to counter modern threats, providing early warning signals and precise surface-to-air intercept capabilities targeting of rotary-wing aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) rockets, artillery, mortar, and other fixed-wing aircraft at a range of up to 10km.

Faisal Al Bannai, Edge group CEO and managing director said: "SkyKnight is the UAE's first, but will not be the last air defence missile developed by Halcon. It is one of several tremendous achievements announced as part of the nation's aim to establish sovereign defence capabilities, and with the goal to address ever-evolving threats that are not well covered by many players in the market.

"We are pleased to team up with Rheinmetall, a leading player