U.A.E.'s Edge Conducts Study to Install AL TARIQ Munition on to India's LCA Tejas Jet

U.A.E.’s state-owned EDGE Group has disclosed the conclusion of feasibility studies for incorporating AL TARIQ long-range precision-guided munitions (LR-PGMs) onto Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Tejas LCA.

This announcement follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between AL TARIQ, a joint venture of EDGE and Denel (South Africa), and HAL, a prominent Indian aerospace company.

The MoU aims to integrate AL TARIQ LR-PGMs onto the HAL Tejas LCA and other platforms, providing a long-range precision weapon solution to the region. The CEO of AL TARIQ, Theunis Botha, expressed pride in the strategic collaboration with HAL, emphasizing their commitment to offering high-tech solutions to Tejas customers globally.

The AL TARIQ LR-PGMs, known for their modular design, all-weather capability, and day/night functionality, can be fitted onto the Mark 80 series and the Indian-designed High-Speed Low Drag (HSLD) series of aerial munitions. The addition of a wing kit transforms the AL TARIQ-S (Standard Range) into the AL TARIQ-LR (Long Range), extending the stand-off range from 45km to 120km.

The HAL Tejas LCA, an Indian-made single-engine, delta wing light multirole combat aircraft, is designed for various roles, including ground attack, air support, and reconnaissance. Full integration and qualification of AL TARIQ LR-PGMs on HAL’s Tejas LCA are expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2024.

At the show, EDGE signed a deal with General Atomics to equip its smart weapons like Desert Sting GGW, Thunder PGM and AL Tariq PGM on the U.S.-made MQ-9B.