BEIRUT — Expanding its presence from Latin America to Europe, Emirati defense giant EDGE Group announced today it’s expanding facilities in Brazil as well as Switzerland.
The firm said in a statement that it was establishing a new 6,000 square meter headquarters and production facility for subsidiary SIATT in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The addition, EDGE said, will increase research and development capabilities, as well as production line capacity.
“This was our first investment in Brazil, back in 2023, and since then we have expanded significantly from a research and development plant to an impressive industrial plant. This reflects SIATT’s commitment to advancing Brazil’s technological autonomy and creating long-term value for its defence industry,” said EDGE’s CEO Hamad Al Marar in the statement.
In September 2023, EDGE bought a 50 percent stake of SIATT amid a broader expansion into the Latin American market, where the Emirati firm opened its first ever international office.
SIATT develops and produces defense systems including smart weapons like anti-ship missiles namely MANSUP, and coastal surveillance and maritime security systems.
EDGE’s footprint it increasing not only in Brazil, but also in Switzerland where another subsidiary, ANAVIA, inaugurated new headquarters and an unmanned aerial systems (UAS) prototyping facility in Bilten.
“This facility will serve as ANAVIA’s new headquarters (HQ) and dedicated R&D centre for next-generation unmanned helicopters, advancing the UAE’s and Europe’s capabilities in designing and delivering the latest technology in unmanned rotorcraft,” according to a separate statement issued on Monday.
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The new site marks the second facility of ANAVIA in Switzerland after its Näfels facility.
“As Bilten becomes the nucleus for engineering activities and platform innovation, Näfels will serve as our centre for serial production, enabling us to scale with precision and agility,” said ANAVIA’s CEO Jon Andri Jong in the statement, adding that the “dual-hub” will accelerate development cycles of the firm.
ANAVIA, the rotary wing unmanned aerial systems specialist, was procured completely by EDGE group in late 2023. The firm is known for its HT-100 and HT-750 unmanned helicopters, and received its largest-ever contract after acquisition by EDGE from UAE’s Ministry of Defense encompassing the procurement of 200 UAS with vertical take-off and landing capabilities.