An uncrewed vehicle is seen at the EDGE stand during IDEX 2023. (Agnes Helou/Breaking Defense)
BEIRUT — As Emirati defense conglomerate EDGE Group is expanding its reach across the globe, the four-year old firm said it is joining forces with Indian Adani Defence and Aerospace, highlighting potential joint efforts in missile and unmanned cooperation.
“This agreement reflects our dedication to bringing our customers the most advanced and sophisticated products to the market, while taking advantage of the global export potential including critical UAE-grown technology. We are keen to setup the joint platform between Adani Defence and EDGE to pioneer new technologies and set new standards in advanced military equipment and defence sector,” EDGE’s CEO Hamad Al Marar said in a Tuesday announcement.
According to the agreement, EDGE and Adani will explore establishing facilities for production and maintenance, research and development in India and the UAE, respectively, in a deal that could increase both firms’ footprints in Southeast Asia and wider global markets.
The two plan to focus on a wide range of systems from missiles to weapons, including “airborne, surface, infantry, ammunition, and air defence products, platforms & systems covering unmanned aerial systems (UAS), loitering munitions, counter drone systems, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), as well as electronic warfare (EW) and cyber technologies,” according to the firm’s statement.
The agreement “is a reflection of our shared vision to fortify our nation’s capabilities by not just delivering cutting-edge solutions for the two countries but also setting new benchmarks in the global defence landscape,” said Adani Defence & Aerospace CEO Ashish Rajvanshi.
It’s not EDGE’s first pitch for cooperation with Indian firms. During Dubai Airshow 2023, EDGE Group has pitched its missiles to be carried by India’s HAL Tejas fighters, using a static display at the show as a demonstration.
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The Emirati firm has been eyeing expansion in multiple markets, including Latin America and East Asia, EDGE Group’s CEO Hamad Al Marar told Breaking Defense in February.
In the context of Asian expansion, earlier this year EDGE Group signed a contract to supply Indonesian state-owned enterprise PT Pindad with an ammunition production line in a $27 million deal.
From its side India has been boosting ties with Arab states for some time now during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s term. In September 2022, Indian defense minister Rajnath Singh visited each in an attempt to boost defense relations, and mainly trying to secure joint manufacturing deal for Indian light combat fighters.
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