1 day ago
UAE Defense Giant EDGE Expands After West Asia War
EDGE Group is a large defense company owned by the United Arab Emirates.
It makes drones, missiles, armored vehicles, and ships.
During a six-month conflict between the United States and Iran, many missiles and drones targeted the UAE.
EDGE says this helped show that some of its products work in real battles.
The company believes this will help it sell more equipment to other countries.
It is building new facilities for military engines and drones.
EDGE is also opening offices and investing abroad to reach more customers.
Amnesty International made allegations about EDGE vehicles in Sudan, but EDGE and the UAE denied selling weapons used there.
The six-month US-Iran conflict generated major commercial opportunities for state-owned EDGE Group.
Nearly 3,000 missiles and drones targeted the UAE during the conflict, according to the article.
EDGE says many of its products gained battle-proven status, increasing their appeal to international buyers.
EDGE reported $5 billion in revenue last year, with international exports making up 70 percent.
Amnesty International alleged EDGE vehicles were used by Sudanese paramilitaries, while EDGE and the UAE denied the claims.
- Who
- EDGE Group, a state-owned UAE defense conglomerate, along with UAE officials and executives.
- What
- The company is rapidly expanding production and international sales after its equipment was used or tested during the US-Iran conflict.
- Where
- The company is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, with expansion at Tawazun Industrial Park, a European headquarters in Paris, planned French facilities, and investments in Brazil.
- When
- The expansion follows a six-month conflict; EDGE reported its previous year's revenue and opened its European headquarters in June.
- Why
- EDGE says combat experience has made more of its products battle-proven, while rising European defense spending is creating new markets.
EDGE and UAE Position
Critics' Allegations
Use of equipment in Sudan
EDGE and UAE Position
EDGE denied selling weapons used in Sudan, and the UAE denied supporting Sudanese paramilitary forces.
Critics' Allegations
Amnesty International alleged that EDGE armored vehicles equipped with French weapons were used by Sudanese paramilitaries.
Key facts
- Company founded
- 2019
- Employees
- 19,000 people
- Last year's revenue
- $5 billion
- International exports
- 70 percent of revenue
- Attacks on the UAE
- Nearly 3,000 missiles and drones during the conflict
- Local jammer performance
- EDGE chairman Faisal Al Bannai said locally produced jammers achieved an 85 percent interception rate against incoming drones.
- New production facility
- EPI is expanding with a 5,600-square-meter facility for micro-jet engines.
Quotes
Khaled Al Zaabi
President of EDGE Group’s platforms and systems cluster
“Before the war, we only had a handful of products that we could say were battle proven. After the war, we can say a lot of products are now battle proven”
wionews.com
