Leading Brazilian technology group Akaer has entered into a partnership agreement with Saudi group Intra Defense Technologies for developing large unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the country.
The agreement was signed last week at LAAD Defense & Security 2023, the largest defence and security fair in Latin America, held in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro from 11-14 April.
Akaer, which has more than 30 years of experience in the development of cutting-edge technologies for the defence and aerospace sectors, said the project will initially cater to the Saudi market demand and then, it will be gradually extended to other countries and regions, Reuters reported.
Currently, Intra operates UAVs in Saudi Arabia with great success, accumulating over 4,000 flight hours in different missions.
The partner company developed two VTOL UAVs (which perform vertical landing and takeoff), one of which was on display at LAAD 2023.
“This is a crucial partnership for the Akaer’s growth in important markets for Brazil, such as the Middle East. We are expanding our actions around the world and creating new sources of synergy,” remarked Akaer’s CEO, Cesar Silva after signing the deal with Intra’s Executive Director of Alliances, Hmoud Alshethre. Also present at the ceremony was Intra’s UAV Test Pilot, Mohammed Aljehani.
The partnership between Akaer and Intra will follow the concept of the Saudi Vision 2030, which foresees a majority content of the programme in that country, stated Silva.
The first project started to be developed in January, and foresees the production of a prototype of a Class 3 twin-engined UAV, but the trend is that other systems will be created in the near future. However, the partnership with Akaer will be even broader, with the aim of developing bolder solutions, he added.
Headquartered in the Saudi capital Riyadh, Intra Defence Technologies Ltd. is a private High-Tech company which designs , develops, manufactures and fully supports, High Performance and innovative Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), as well as all related sub-systems, which are ITAR-free, to customer and partners around the Globe.
Intra also provides autonomous end-to-end UAV-based surveillance, reconnaissance and inspection services for and on behalf of customers as and when required.
The Akaer Group, founded in 1992, is specialized in supplying technological solutions in different areas such as aerospace, defense, energy and automotive. With 350+ highly qualified employees, the group is working on the development of strategic projects for Brazil such as Gripen, KC-390, and satellite cameras.
