Agnes Helou

Agnes Helou was a Middle East correspondent for Defense News. Her interests include missile defense, cybersecurity, the interoperability of weapons systems and strategic issues in the Middle East and Gulf region.

All Stories By Agnes

Here’s what stood out at the UAE’s unmanned defense expo

And see the systems that Russian, Chinese, Indian and American businesses showed off to potential clients.

2 years ago

Saab showcases new DeployNet 5G network

DeployNet, as it’s known, is a ruggedized, 5G communication system for military and crisis operations. Unveiled by Saab during the Unmanned Systems Exhibition here, it provides 5G/LTE wireless network for challenging environments, and has high-capacity bandwidth for missions relying on information sources, sensors and user interaction.

2 years ago

Following first demonstration, Edge unveils swarming drones based on AI technology

Hunter 2-S is part of the family of the Hunter 2 series of unmanned aerial vehicles. These drones are expected to share information with each other for tracking and maintaining positions and engaging with the right target.

Iraq seeks French drones and jets, additional Russian tanks

Iraq’s military is seeking several defense systems of different origins, including French Rafale fighter jets, drones and artillery, as well as Russian T-90 tanks, with some ongoing negotiations reaching an advanced stage.

F-35 fighters, 5G networks, and how the UAE is trying to balance relations between the US and China

The United Arab Emirates recently suspended F-35 acquisition talks amid U.S. concerns over a 5G vendor, but the Middle Eastern country is still carrying on with its network connectivity efforts. Will it circle back to negotiations over the aircraft?

Egyptian defense expo highlights homemade tech to counter small drones

The Arab Organization for Industrialization and Benha Electronics each showed off their locally made systems.

Egypt unveils locally made drones at EDEX 2021

The show was scheduled to take place in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Morocco buys Israeli counter-drone system Skylock Dome

The Moroccan Royal Armed Forces says it has intensified its counter-drone acquisitions toward improving recognition and neutralization of UAV threats.

Counter-drone tech at Dubai Airshow reflects UAE’s interest in the capability

Although not as abundant as drones, countermeasures against the unmanned systems are certainly prevalent at this year's Dubai Airshow.

Edge Group’s CEO talks drone swarms, 3D printing and export plans

Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has had the biggest share of announcements at the 2021 Dubai Airshow between systems unveilings, contracts finalizations and the signing of memorandums of understand understanding. But what arguably stands out the most is the number of autonomous systems at the company’s booth, which made up about half of the offerings on display.

Featured Video

This Ranger hurled a Taliban’s grenade back at the them. His survival depended on cultivated courage

Navy leaders press integration, retention as major goals | Defense News Weekly Full Episode, 4.13.24

Thales and Saildrone team up for unmanned sub-sensing system

Troops get next-gen weapons and citizen heroes are honored | Defense News Weekly Full Episode, 4.6.2

Trending Now

US, UK issue sanctions on Iran over drone and missile attack on Israel

AUKUS allies developing undersea capabilities they can field this year

Air National Guard transfer proposal would put America behind in space

How the Space Force is making its systems more resilient

US Army aims to complete multidomain task force structure by FY28