Deon Olivier,
CEO, AL TARIQ, EDGE Group
Since its founding in 2012, AL TARIQ has become the UAE’s leading manufacturer of precision-guided munitions (PGM), transforming modern warfare with advanced, smaller, and faster aerial weaponry. As a top provider of both short- and long-range munitions, AL TARIQ has expanded its production capabilities while maintaining rigorous international standards. The company focuses on combat-proven kit systems that enhance unguided aerial weapons, offering high-precision, long-range capabilities up to 120 km, and employs cutting-edge technologies like GNSS, INS, and IIR for automated target recognition. “Our solutions are scalable and tailored to the operation while providing advanced capabilities in a modular, cost-effective package. What this means is that our customers can grow (up-scale) the capabilities of our interchangeable precision-guided munitions kits as their precision strike requirements change,” said Deon Olivier, CEO of AL TARIQ, EDGE Group. In an interview with Aeromag, he discusses the importance of PGMs and the prominent role Al Tariq has established in this field.
AL TARIQ is the first UAE-based manufacturer of precision-guided munitions (PGMs). Can you explain the significance of PGMs and how they have transformed modern warfare?
The advent of precision-guided munitions has had a profound effect on aerial strike operations.
Tactically, precision-guided munitions are a critical aerial strike capability for any modern air force. In today’s setting, the most significant advantages of precision-guided munitions are their cost, range, and accuracy. Price-wise, they are cheaper to procure and operate than missiles or other similar guided air-to-ground systems. In terms of range, they have flight control surfaces and greatly improved aerodynamics over unguided aerial munitions. Precision-guided munitions also utilise either one or a combination of guidance and seeker technologies, such as GNSS or a semi-active laser, which dramatically improves accuracy and minimises collateral damage.
What are the key features of the AL TARIQ-LR (Long Range) and AL TARIQ-S (Standard Range) PGMs? How does AL TARIQ differentiate itself in developing smaller, smarter, and faster aerial weaponry, as well as short- and long-range munitions?
It is important to understand that our precision-guided munitions offer three key advantages. Firstly, mission planning is eased, as the AL TARIQ line of mission-proven precision-guided munitions can operate in all weather conditions and in GPS-denied environments.
Secondly, our systems provide superior flexibility for the end-user. The addition of a wing kit converts the AL TARIQ-S (Standard Range) to the AL TARIQ-LR (Long Range), allowing the user to increase the standoff range from 45km to an industry-leading 120km. This increase in range, along with targeting features including lock-on-before-launch, lock-on-after-launch, variable attack angle, and variable attack heading, offers our customers the highest level of flexibility before and during an operation.
Finally, our solutions are scalable and tailored to the operation while providing advanced capabilities in a modular, cost-effective package. What this means is that our customers can grow (up-scale) the capabilities of our interchangeable precision-guided munitions kits as their precision strike requirements change. The cost-benefit here is that we can keep life-cycle costs as low as possible, and with the AL TARIQ’s modular nature, maintenance and upgrades can be compartmentalised, as opposed to replacing the whole precision-guided munition.
AL TARIQ is currently working to integrate its systems onto various platforms including the UAE Air Force’s Rafale F4s. At the same time, an agreement between EDGE and GA-ASI will see the AL TARIQ integrated onto the MQ-9B. Could you give us an update on these integration programmes, and what these integrations could mean for other users of these platforms in the GCC?
While I cannot get into the specifics of these integration programmes, what I can say is that we are making steady progress, and these are not our only ongoing integrations. Following the successful integration of our systems on multiple fighter and trainer aircraft, these programmes reflect our relevance, as we move towards integration on 4.5th-gen fighters and widely used unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
The most important point here is that we are fostering mutually beneficial strategic relationships with industry leaders to offer an advanced, cost-effective, and mission-proven smart weapon solution to the customers of these platforms.
What can we expect from AL TARIQ at SOFEX 2024? Can you talk about the new products or technologies that will be highlighted at the show?
Although we are not directly participating at SOFEX this year, don’t forget that as an EDGE entity, we are continuously offering solutions that directly address the region’s operational requirements. I think what’s really important to customers in the region is a high degree of accuracy and versatility.
To meet these requirements, our systems feature a standard GNSS/INS guidance or a dual-mode seeker, which adds either a semi-active laser or imaging infrared seeker with automatic target recognition. What is interesting about the imaging infrared seeker with automatic target recognition is that it enables effective operations during the day and night and in all weather conditions. It also optimises target discrimination, provides flexible targeting, and enables autonomous recognition of target shapes or patterns, which reduces the risk of hitting unintended targets and reduces dependence on external sources such as designators or illuminators.
In terms of versatility, the fuze, targeting, and attack variables are all configurable for the end-user. The system is available with a mechanical fuze for simplicity and reliability or an electronic fuze for missions requiring precision timing and control over detonation. The fuze can either be pre-set or cockpit selectable, permitting the end-user to adjust the fuze settings.
For targets of opportunity, end-users have the option to either lock-on before launch (LOBL) or lock-on after launch (LOAL). LOBL provides more time to acquire and track the target before impact. However, the AL TARIQ family can acquire the target in-flight using the advanced technology and algorithms of its seekers, which, when paired with processing techniques, also offers a re-targeting capability.
It is crucial to remember that the operational environment is often challenging, cluttered, and dynamic. To ensure the environment does not affect the flexibility of the end-user’s targeting options, the AL TARIQ system provides variable attack heading and variable attack angle capabilities. The ability of a precision-guided munition to adjust its angle of attack during flight is critical in optimising its attack heading and maximising the probability of hitting the intended target.
Could you share your strategic vision for the future of defence systems in the changing geopolitical landscape? How do EDGE Group and AL TARIQ plan to remain at the cutting edge of technological advancements and contribute to global security?
We are focused on offering top-tier precision solutions that meet or exceed customer requirements. What this means is that we understand, on a tactical level, some of the key focus areas in smart weapons are accuracy, cost, flexibility, and electronic counter-countermeasures. Our solutions are positioned at the nexus of those technologies and features.
In terms of remaining at the cutting-edge of technological advancements, we are dedicated to continuously improving our systems in order to meet the rapidly evolving and dynamic theatre.
To put this point into perspective, our recent Block II upgrades added the option for a height-of-burst sensor to support end-users seeking versatility in the operational environment.
The bottom line is that an air force demands the best of its pilots, and facing unprecedented challenges in the conventional and asymmetric operational environment demands the best systems. The AL TARIQ family of precision-guided munitions are made for today’s missions. No matter the environment, regardless of target type, an AL TARIQ system has the versatility in its configuration and deployment to ensure success and bring out the very best in a dynamic end-user.
