Terra Drone Signs MoU with UAE Defense Group EDGE's IGG to Advance Counter-UAS and Interceptor Drone Applications

Tokyo, July 7, 2026 — Terra Drone Corporation, a Tokyo-based global leader in drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology, has announced that its subsidiary Terra Inspectioneering B.V. has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with International Golden Group L.L.C. (IGG), a UAE-based defense and security company headquartered in Abu Dhabi and a member of the EDGE Group, one of the UAE's largest defense conglomerates.

Under the MoU, Terra Drone and IGG will collaborate in the Counter-UAS domain, with a focus on defense applications that can be integrated into existing counter-drone systems — including the development and deployment of interceptor drones.

About EDGE Group and IGG

EDGE Group is a cornerstone of the UAE's defense industry, comprising more than 35 companies across six core sectors in defense and security. As an EDGE Group member, IGG is one of the UAE's premier defense and security systems integrators, supplying products and services to the UAE Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and other government defense and security agencies, giving it a significant footprint in the Middle East defense sector.

Strategic Context

The global security environment is undergoing profound change, particularly in the Middle East. Since 2026, regional tensions centered on Iran have continued to escalate, with drone threats emerging as an increasingly tangible security risk while conventional air defense resources — including missile stockpiles — face growing strain.

Media reports have documented a series of drone and missile attack incidents across the region, including drone strikes targeting maritime shipping near the Strait of Hormuz, attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and the use of loitering munitions in southern Lebanon. Against this backdrop, the cost-effective protection of energy facilities, airports, seaports, military bases, and urban infrastructure has become a pressing priority for governments across the region.

Existing Counter-UAS systems have largely centered on radar detection, electronic warfare (EW) systems, and high-cost missile integration. However, as new threats proliferate — including large-scale swarm attacks by low-cost, EW-resistant drones such as the Shahed series — demand for affordable, highly mobile, kinetic intercept capabilities is accelerating rapidly.

At the same time, large defense primes face challenges in developing all the necessary technology in-house at the pace and investment efficiency required to keep up with rapidly evolving small drone and interceptor drone capabilities. Integrating next-generation interceptor drone technology developed by agile startups into the established systems of major defense contractors has therefore become a significant global trend.

Scope of Cooperation

Under the signed MoU, Terra Drone will advance multiple areas of collaboration in the Counter-UAS domain, including:

• Counter-UAS Integrated Defense Applications: Leveraging interceptor drone technology
• Joint Operational Environment Research: Covering sensors, payloads, ground control systems, and radar integration
• Operational and Technical Collaboration: Building localized operational support capabilities
• Middle East Sales, Maintenance, and Operational Support Infrastructure: Starting from the UAE and expanding outward
• Regional Deployment of Counter-UAS Solutions: Rolling out from the UAE to countries across the Middle East

Outlook

Terra Drone plans to combine IGG's defense industry platform in the Middle East with Terra Drone Group's expertise in interceptor drones, reconnaissance drones, UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management), data integration, and operational support — delivering comprehensive Counter-UAS solutions to military and government agencies as well as critical infrastructure operators.

Building on this Middle East partnership, Terra Drone will accelerate its expansion in the UAE market, which continues to attract significant global attention.

About Terra Drone Corporation

Terra Drone Corporation is a Japan-headquartered global leader in drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions, operating under the mission to "Unlock 'X' Dimensions" through cross-sector integration and innovation. Its business spans surveying, inspection, agriculture, and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM), serving industries including oil and gas, construction, chemicals, energy, and agriculture.

To date, the company has completed more than 3,000 projects worldwide. In July 2023, it acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a globally leading UTM platform provider with deployments in more than eight countries. Terra Drone listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market on November 29, 2024 (ticker: 278A), and was ranked the world's No. 1 drone service provider in 2024. The company also received the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Award at the 2025 Japan Startup Awards (organized by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry), in recognition of its social contributions in infrastructure and transportation.

Terra Drone has been ranked among the world's top three industrial drone service providers for five consecutive years by Drone Industry Insights.

Official Website: http://www.terra-drone.net

Defense Business Website: https://terra-defense.com/

Media Contact: PR Team, Terra Drone Corporation | pr@terra-drone.co.jp | Tel: +81-3-6419-7193

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