ATERMES to spotlight surveillance Innovations at IQDEX 2025
This marks the second consecutive IQDEX where the two companies have united, unveiled their shared mission to fortify Iraq's defence capabilities and drive homegrown technological progress.
The focal point of ATERMES' exhibit is the SURICATE system—an AI-powered, multispectral surveillance solution proven across diverse operational environments. New at IQDEX 2025 is SURICATE's full integration completed with radar technology, uniting long-range radar detection with high-resolution multispectral optics. This combined capability delivers pinpoint precision for identifying drones, vehicles, and human targets, enables rapid threat assessment for immediate action, and reduces operator workload through AI-driven automation—ultimately freeing personnel to focus on strategic decision-making.
'ATERMES is dedicated to building meaningful partnerships, sharing knowledge, and delivering state-of-the-art solutions solely tailored to the challenges faced by Iraqi defence and homeland security forces', says Lionel Thomas, Chairman of ATERMES. 'By combining the 'on-time' reach of radar detection with SURICATE's target classification based on intelligent multispectral optics, we deliver a modular, mission-adaptable system ideally suited for Iraq's complex security landscape'.
ATERMES' ongoing participation in IQDEX reflects its steadfast commitment to the Iraqi market. More than a simple product display, the company is intent on wearing a local behaviour, on transferring technical expertise, launching local assembly lines, conducting joint demonstrations, and fostering localised R&D and training programs, thanks to our great complementarity with IST. By investing in these areas, ATERMES aims to cultivate Iraqi talent and support a sustainable ecosystem of defence innovation that helps ensure Iraq's long-term security and sovereignty.
ATERMES recognises the growing importance of the Middle East defence market and views Iraq as a pivotal partner in the region. By working collaboratively with IST and other local stakeholders, ATERMES aims to foster mutually beneficial relationships that spur innovation, improve defence capabilities and bolster Iraq's technological self-reliance.
For more details about ATERMES and its participation in IQDEX 2025, please visit the company's booth number A5.2.
Image Credit: ATERMES
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In 2020, the company reportedly brokered a deal to transport Iranian oil via Iraqi pipelines to be blended and sold as Iraqi oil. Mr Said is also the owner of Rhine Shipping, which was first implicated in blending Iranian oil to sell as Iraqi oil in 2022. Rhine Shipping was previously exposed as the manager of the oil tanker Molecule, which loaded oil in the Arabian Gulf from an Iranian tanker that had turned off its location transponder to conceal the transaction. The Molecule was subsequently sanctioned for its role in shipping Iranian oil as part of the network of Iran-backed Houthi financial official Sa'id Al Jamal. Helping the Houthis Under the direction of Mr Al Jamal, Syrian citizen Abdul Jalil Mallah facilitated transactions worth millions of dollars to Swaid and Sons, a Yemen-based exchange house associated with the Houthis. Mr Mallah is subject to an arrest warrant in the UK and has been listed as a specially designated global terrorist by the US Treasury since 2021 for his involvement with Hezbollah and the Houthis in deals it says were worth 'millions of dollars". He has worked with Mr Al Jamal to send millions of dollars' worth of Iranian crude oil to Hezbollah, the US alleges. Mr Al Jamal, financial backer of the Houthis, is based in Iran and directs a network of front companies and vessels that smuggle Iranian fuel, petroleum products and other commodities to customers throughout the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Last year, the US Treasury also sanctioned four ships belonging to Mr Mallah's brother Luay Al Mallah. Abdul Jalil was successfully sued in the UK over a deal he struck with three subsidiaries of the US firm Oaktree Capital Management (OCM) to finance the acquisition of two cargo ships – the Amethyst and the Courage. OCM sought to terminate the deal in June 2021 when Mr Mallah was placed under sanctions, and his assets and bank accounts were subject to a US freezing order. Subsequent lawsuits sought to wrest control from Mr Mallah. OCM had also sought £1 million in legal costs and in a subsequent court order in May 2024, Mr Mallah was given a prison sentence for fraud. Mr Mallah's submissions included forged documents purporting to be from the Greek authorities showing he had left the country before the notice was served, which led to a hearing for contempt of court. He was sentenced to 18 months in jail, though he is unlikely ever to serve any of it. In response, the shipping tycoon insisted he was the victim of a set-up. "I have nothing to do with Hezbollah and the Houthis. This is a big lie against me to rob me,' he said. Luxury home Mr Said lives in Dubai in the prestigious Palm Jumeirah, a big attraction for foreign buyers making high-end property purchases. When The National tried to pay a visit to his villa in Frond D, security did not allow anyone to pass unless there was permission from the owner. There was a small roundabout before the checkpoint at the Frond D entrance with a small sign on the right mentioning the letter of the Frond with a brief warning in Arabic and English: "Residents and visitors only". The security guard asked for identification and the reason for visiting. 'The host needs to alert the security so you can go inside after showing identification,' he said. Dubai is one of the world's most active markets for luxury homes and The Palm is the most desirable location for $10 million-plus properties. It has 17 fronds which extend outward from the trunk of the island, forming the distinctive palm tree shape. It is spread over an area of 560 hectares and divided into three main areas, The Crescent, Trunk and Fronds. They are primarily designed to house luxury residential villas, hotels and resorts. In June, an announcement was made for five luxurious villas to be built on land bought for Dh365 million ($99.4 million) on the island by developer 25 Degrees. Frond D is a gated sub-community on the north-east of The Palm development. The fronds are primarily residential areas, so access is often restricted to residents, guests or those with legitimate business.
