Bangalore, October 14, 2024: Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) solutions provider SKYBER Aerospace, known for its deep-tech and AI-driven innovations, has partnered with Sibia Technologies, headquartered out of Dubai, for the sales and services of their UAV products in the Middle East and Africa. This partnership aligns with the rapidly growing demand for UAV technologies in the Defense as well as commercial segments in the MEA region. The multi-year partnership is structured to cover multiple aspects of the UAV industry, including product sales, service and maintenance, training and operational support and technology integration.
SKYBER Aerospace will supply high-performance UAV systems and innovate to meet the region’s specific demands. Sibia Technologies will manage local sales, service, customer relationships, marketing efforts, and regional supply chain logistics.
With an expected market size of $5.3 billion by 2029, the region presents vast opportunities in both government and commercial sectors. “Countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and parts of Africa are expected to be significant consumers of UAV technology due to their increasing Defense budgets, need for border security, and investments in modern technology for commercial sectors. The partnership between SKYBER Aerospace and Sibia Technologies represents a significant step towards tapping into the burgeoning UAV market in the Middle East and Africa,” said Joseph George, co-founder and CEO, SKYBER Aerospace.
The partnership aims to secure large Defense contracts, address commercial needs in the oil & gas, construction and agriculture sectors, and maintain technological leadership in UAV solutions. Sibia Technologies will leverage its existing partnerships with the leading telecom operators in the Middle East and Africa region to enable UAV solutions using public and private 5G networks.
“We are happy to announce this partnership with SKYBER Aerospace. It’s a symbiotic relationship where companies leverage their strengths to grow in a competitive market. We will be taking an integrated role in delivering the UAV systems and managing post-sale services like training operators, providing support services, performing post-sales engineering support, and ensuring regulatory compliance.” said Nour Al Atassi, CEO, Sibia Technologies.
The partnership will also involve localizing SKYBER Aerospace’s UAV platforms to suit regional needs. For example, UAV systems might be adapted for better performance in extreme weather conditions like high temperatures and dust storms or specific industries like oil and gas exploration or agricultural and construction mapping.
Clients in the Middle East and Africa will benefit significantly from localized support, ensuring faster response times, on-the-ground maintenance, and readily available spare parts. By establishing regional training centers, operators can improve their skills, enhancing the usability and safety of UAV systems. Additionally, clients will receive assistance in navigating local UAV regulations and obtaining the necessary permits, reducing potential hurdles. This partnership aims to minimize downtime and operational disruptions, making UAV solutions more cost-effective. Furthermore, customized military UAV systems will provide enhanced data security and seamless integration into regional defense systems, offering tailored solutions for the specific needs of these markets.
The partnership is also focused on bringing innovative products to the market, such as fully autonomous drones that can operate without human intervention. These drones will feature advanced AI-driven navigation and decision-making systems. Future UAVs could be equipped with high-precision sensors and long-range surveillance capabilities, making them ideal for military and security applications. Drone-swarming technology is another promising development that could enhance surveillance, Defense operations, and disaster response efforts. The companies are also working on precision agriculture, construction monitoring, and cargo and delivery drones. SKYBER Aerospace has also been focusing on full-stack solutions incorporating next-gen technologies, including hybrid-powered UAVs and enhanced AI-enabled edge computing chipsets, reflecting their commitment to pushing the boundaries of UAV technology through intense research and development commitment.
The focus for the next five years will be to establish leadership in the MEA market, expand product portfolios, set up local manufacturing facilities, and work on diversifying UAV applications.
