EDGE Group

Emirati Defense Company

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EDGE Group PJSC[1]

Edge Headquarters in Abu Dhabi

Native name

| Arabic: مجموعة إيدج ش.م.ع
Company type| Public joint stock company
Industry| Advanced Technology, Defence, Offence
Predecessor| Emirates Defence Industries Company
Founded| 5 November 2019; 5 years ago (2019-11-05) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Founder| Faisal Al Bannai
Headquarters|

Abu Dhabi

United Arab Emirates

Area served

| Worldwide

Key people

| Faisal Al Bannai (chairman)[2] Hamad Al Marar (managing director and CEO)[3]

Number of employees

| 12,000+
Subsidiaries| 25\. See list
Footnotes / references
[4]

EDGE Group (Arabic: مجموعة إيدج) is an Emirati advanced technology and defence conglomerate comprising 25 companies involved in military and civilian products, and technologies.[5][6][7]

Edge is reported to be among the top 3 manufacturers and suppliers of precision guided munitions.[8]

## History

[edit]

The group was established on 5 November 2019 by H.E Faisal Al Bannai, and has more than 25 entities from the Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG), Tawazun Holding.[5] The Group employs approximately 12,000 employees.[9][10][11]

Edge was the official Advanced Technology Partner at the Dubai Airshow 2019.[12] The Group's 11 participating entities showcased their range of capabilities, which included unmanned aerial vehicles, and long-range munitions including the UAE-made ADASI RW-24. AMMROC also announced its plan to open a maintenance facility at to Al Ain International Airport.[13]

Edge entity HALCON signed a US$1 billion contract in November 2019 to supply its Desert Sting precision guided missiles to UAE Armed Forces.[14][15]

GAL, part of Edge’s Mission Support cluster, signed a contract with Kenya’s Ministry of Defence to provide MRO services to the Kenyan Air Force. GAL also signed an AED 3.5 billion support contract with the UAE’s Joint Aviation Command.[16]

Edge joined Tawdheef, the UAE’s leading event for Emiratisation,[17] and the second edition of the biennial Mohamed bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge[18] 2020 (MBZIRC 2020), as the official Advanced Technology Partner in January 2020.[19]

Edge’s ADASI also launched its made-in-the-UAE VTOL drone at the UMEX exhibition in February 2020.[20]

In December 2020, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reported that Edge ranked 22nd in the world's largest arms companies list.[21] According to Pieter Wezeman, Senior Researcher with the SIPRI Arms and Military Expenditure Programme: "EDGE is a good illustration of how the combination of high national demand for military products and services with a desire to become less dependent on foreign suppliers is driving the growth of arms companies in the Middle East."[22] According to DefenseNews.com’s 2021 July report, EDGE Group is the 24th largest defence contractor in the world.[23]

On 31 January 2022, Mansour AlMulla was appointed managing director and DEO of Edge, while H. E. Faisal Al Bannai became chairman.[24]

In the same year, DIGITAL14, a developer of multi-sector innovative and ultra-secure communication solutions, merged into the Edge and was rebranded as KATIM.[25]

In early 2023, Edge disclosed that orders for its products and solutions had exceeded US$5 billion for 2022, a third of which was made up of international exports—a 500%[26] year-on-year increase. The group’s global footprint covers over 30 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The company acquired a majority shareholding in Estonian robotic developer Milrem Robotics on 15 February 2023.[27] At the IDEX defence exhibition held in Abu Dhabi in February 2023, EDGE announced over AED18.6 billion worth of contracts,[28][29][30] AED4 billion of which was in exports, including a landmark EUR1 billion export deal with the Angolan Navy to build a fleet of best-in-class 71 metre corvette vessels.[31][32] The group also launched 14 new products including 11 autonomous solutions.[31] Contracts with the UAE Armed Forces at IDEX 2023 totalling AED9 billion were announced for EDGE’s THUNDER and DESERT STING 25 Precision-Guided Munitions;  SHADOW 25 and SHADOW 50; and HUNTER Loitering Munitions;[30] and a contract valued at AED4 billion to provide tactical communications and data-link solutions.[30]

In April 2023, Edge announced the opening of a regional office in the Brazilian capital, Brasilia.[33] In the same month, EDGE Group and the Brazilian Navy signed a cooperation agreement to develop anti-ship and supersonic missiles.[34][35] This was followed by the signing of a strategic partnership agreement which will see EDGE become a strategic partner of the Brazilian Navy by co-investing in the development, as well as providing advanced solutions, such as anti-jamming technology, which is developed by EDGE in the UAE. The Brazilian Navy has committed its fleet to support a full testing programme of the new missiles.

In July 2023, Edge acquired Abu Dhabi–based cybersecurity firm, OryxLabs, and 100% stake in Etimad Holding, a technology services group, based in the UAE capital. In September 2023, EDGE acquired 50% shareholding in Brazilian Smart Weapons and Tech System Specialist SIATT.[36]

In November 2023, Edge announced the acquisition of a 52% majority shareholding in Swiss VTOL manufacturer ANAVIA, and a 50% shareholding in Polish small jet aircraft manufacturer, FLARIS.[37][38][39]

At Dubai Airshow 2023, Edge launched twelve new systems and solutions, increasing the number of products to 160.[40][41] These included several autonomous aircraft and smart weapons systems.[42] It also launched the X Range, the MENA region’s first fully comprehensive test range island, which will be available for commercial use.[43] The total value of its sales and contracts at the airshow was US$2.37 billion [44] ADSB also announced the sale of several ANAVIA HT-100 unmanned helicopters to an undisclosed international customer.[45]

In December 2023, Edge announced it has assumed full ownership of Abu Dhabi–based investment company, the Strategic Development Fund (SDF).[46]

In December 2023, Edge, completed acquisition of the Abu Dhabi–based investment company, the Strategic Development Fund (SDF). In January 2024, EDGE Group acquired a majority stake in the International Golden Group.[47]

In the same month, Edge collaborated with the São Paulo State Government on the 'Crystal Ball' project, slated for a six-month trial period. This initiative is to enhance public security in São Paulo through the deployment of technologies, including Smart CCTV Monitoring Solutions, Integrated Command and Control systems, Advanced Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) tools, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.[48]

In January 2024, Edge and Baykar, the Türkiye-based leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and artificial intelligence technology, announced their collaboration on the integration of Edge smart weapons onto Bayraktar UAVs.[49]

On 14 May 2024, Edge signed a $27 million agreement to supply Indonesia's state-owned PT Pindad with new ammunition.[50]

Edge also acquired 51% of Brazil-based Condor Non-Lethal technologies.[51][52]

In May 2024, Edge, and Fincantieri, signed an agreement for the launch of MAESTRAL an Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilding joint venture.[53]

Edge Group entered into a joint venture with Spain’s Indra Sistemas (Indra) to develop and manufacture radar systems in the UAE.

In June 2024, EDGE Group and Adani Defence & Aerospace entered into a cooperation agreement. The collaboration involves various areas, including missiles, weapons, unmanned systems, air defense products, and electronic warfare technologies, with potential for R&D and production facilities in India and the UAE.[54]

Edge group launched a new space firm Fada in September, 2024 to enhance the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) sovereign space capabilities and advance the country's defense technology interests.[55]

In september 2024, Adani Defence & Aerospace signed an agreement with EDGE Group for establishing research and development (R&D) facilities in India, the UAE, and other global markets.[56]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Salian, Neesha (1 October 2023). "UAE-based Edge Group acquires 50% stake in Brazil's SIATT".
2. ^ "UAE's defence giant EDGE appoints Hamad Al Marar as new CEO, eyes global expansion - Dailynewsegypt". 29 January 2024.
3. ^ "EDGE Group appoints Hamad Mohamed al Marar as Managing Director and CEO".
4. ^ Sharma, Alkesh (22 September 2023). "UAE's Edge partners with Bulgarian entities as it expands portfolio". The National.
5. ^ a b Helou, Agnes (6 November 2019). "UAE launches 'Edge' conglomerate to address its 'antiquated military industry'". Defense News. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
6. ^ "UAE Defense Firm Weighs Multibillion-Dollar Turkey Investments". Bloomberg. 12 October 2023 - via www.bloomberg.com.
7. ^ "UAE's EDGE Group weighs multibillion-dollar Turkey investments". gulfnews.com. 12 October 2023.
8. ^ "EDGE becomes global top three in precision-guided solutions market |". www.globaldefenseaerospacepost.com.
9. ^ Warner, Kelsey (20 November 2019). "Abu Dhabi defence group Edge looks to smart technology to tackle low-tech militants". The National. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
10. ^ "Could EDGE boost R&D in the UAE?". Wamda. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
11. ^ Defaiya, Al (29 November 2022). "Al Defaiya | UAE's EDGE Marks Third Anniversary". defaiya.com. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
12. ^ "DUBAI AIRSHOW ANNOUNCES EDGE AS FIRST EVER ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PARTNER". www.dubaiairshow.aero. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
13. ^ "AMMROC unveils state-of-the-art MRO Facility". wam. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
14. ^ "EDGE wins new $1.58 billion contract for UAE Armed Forces - UAE Times". 21 February 2023.
15. ^ Valpolini, Paolo (19 November 2019). "► Halcon to Supply Desert Sting Precision Weapons to UAE Armed Forces in US$1 Billion Deal".
16. ^ "Abu Dhabi's EDGE Group appoints ADQ's group CIO as new CEO". 31 January 2022.
17. ^ "EDGE Joins Tawdheef as Advanced Technology Partner". Construction Business News Middle East. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
18. ^ "Mohamed Bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge (MBZIRC)". GTECH. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
19. ^ "EDGE announced as Advanced Technology Partner for Mohamed bin Zayed International Robotics Challenge 2020, organised by Khalifa University". wam. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
20. ^ Warner, Kelsey (24 February 2020). "UAE's first locally-made drone unveiled at Umex". The National. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
21. ^ "SIPRI Arms Industry Database | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
22. ^ "Global arms industry: Sales by the top 25 companies up 8.5 per cent; Big players active in Global South | SIPRI". www.sipri.org. 7 December 2020. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
23. ^ "Top 100 | Defense News, News about defense programs, business, and technology". people.defensenews.com. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
24. ^ "EDGE Group announces structural changes to its executive leadership team". wam. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
25. ^ Salian, Neesha (5 October 2022). "EDGE Group rebrand8s DIGITAL14 as KATIM". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
26. ^ Darasha, Brinda; ZAWYA. "UAE's EDGE Group secures orders worth $5bln in 2022". www.zawya.com. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
27. ^ "EDGE acquires majority stake in Milrem Robotics | Defense News February 2023 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2023 | Archive News year". armyrecognition.com. 15 February 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
28. ^ "IDEX 2023: Edge awarded USD2.5 billion munitions contracts". Janes.com. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
29. ^ McNeil, Harry (28 February 2023). "IDEX 2023: EDGE Group dominates as strategic partner". Army Technology. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
30. ^ a b c ESD (23 February 2023). "IDEX 2023: EDGE Group entities announce UAE armed forces contracts". euro-sd.com. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
31. ^ a b Helou, Agnes (21 February 2023). "EDGE announces $1.1B deal with Angolan navy, unveils 11 new autonomous systems". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
32. ^ Bahtić, Fatima (22 February 2023). "Angolan Navy orders BR71 MKII corvettes from Edge Group under €1bln deal". Naval Today. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
33. ^ Helou, Agnes (13 April 2023). "Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE Group to open first international office in Brazil". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
34. ^ Defesa, Redação Forças de (18 April 2023). "EDGE Group e Marinha do Brasil assinam acordo de cooperação para o desenvolvimento de mísseis". Poder Naval (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
35. ^ "LAAD 2023 - EDGE Group abrirá escritório regional para América Latina no Brasil". DefesaNet (in Brazilian Portuguese). 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.
36. ^ "EDGE Group acquires Oryxlabs, marking first move into cybersecurity". 7 July 2023.
37. ^ "Dubai Airshow 2023: EDGE Group acquires majority stake in Swiss VTOL company | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com.
38. ^ Hill, John (6 November 2023). "Signal: EDGE Group acquires 52% share in Swiss VTOL manufacturer".
39. ^ "Edge Group Invests in Swiss UAS Developer Anavia | Aviation Week Network". aviationweek.com.
40. ^ "EDGE Group Launches Several Advanced Defence Solutions on First Day of Dubai Airshow 2023". 13 November 2023.
41. ^ Helou, Agnes (13 November 2023). "UAE firm EDGE Group rolls out 11 new drones, missiles at Dubai Airshow".
42. ^ "EDGE Group Launches Several Advanced Defence Solutions on First Day of Dubai Airshow 2023". 14 November 2023.
43. ^ Gosselin-Malo, Elisabeth (13 November 2023). "Edge Group touts Gulf region's first multidomain military test island". Defense News.
44. ^ "EDGE Group to Supply MANSUP Series Anti-Ship Systems to the Brazilian Navy". 15 November 2023.
45. ^ "EDGE expands global VTOL capabilities with first major sale of HT-100 Unmanned Helicopters". 16 November 2023.
46. ^ https://www.edrmagazine.eu/►-edge-strengthens-its-global-investment-and-industrial-roadmap-with-the-addition-of-the-strategic-development-fund-into-the-group. [bare URL]
47. ^ Felstead, Peter (7 March 2024). "EDGE Group and Indra form joint venture to create UAE-based advanced radar house - European Security & Defence". euro-sd.com.
48. ^ "Indra and EDGE Group sign an agreement to develop and manufacture next-generation radars in UAE | indra". www.indracompany.com.
49. ^ McNeil, Harry (19 January 2024). "EDGE and Baykar raise drone warfare capabilities with smart weapon integration".
50. ^ "UAE's EDGE to Bolster Indonesia's Ammunition Production". thearabianpost.com. 14 May 2024.
51. ^ "Enterprise — Essential business, finance and policy news from the Arab world". Enterprise.
52. ^ Report, Gulf News (May 2024). "UAE's EDGE becomes a global non-lethal technology player with Condor acquisition". Gulf News.
53. ^ Helou, Agnes (20 May 2024). "Emirate's EDGE Group, Italy's Fincantieri team up for $434M patrol vessel contract". Breaking Defense.
54. ^ Standard, Business (11 June 2024). "Adani Defence & Aerospace, UAE's EDGE sign defence cooperation agreement". Business Standard. Retrieved 7 August 2024. `{{cite web}}`: `|first=` has generic name (help)
55. ^ Muzoriwa, Kudakwashe (23 September 2024). "UAE defence firm EDGE forays into space domain with 'FADA'".
56. ^ "Adani Enterprises' defence arm inks pact with EDGE group; stock rises". www.fortuneindia.com. 2 June 2024.