Abu dhabi: The UAE's EDGE Group and Spain's EM and E Group have signed a pivotal agreement to explore the creation of a UAE-based joint venture, backed by a commercial pipeline valued at approximately US$1.5 billion. The signing event took place at EM and E Group's headquarters, with the UAE Ambassador to Spain, Saleh Ahmad Salem Alzaraim Alsuwaidi, in attendance.
According to Emirates News Agency, the agreement was signed by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, and Fernando Fern¡ndez, CEO of EM and E Group. The collaboration aims to bring the latest technology in advanced remote weapon stations to the UAE and other international markets, with future plans for co-development of additional defence systems through the UAE-based joint venture.
The envisioned company will establish a skilled workforce in the UAE, encompassing sales, engineering, and programme management. This initiative is set to create high-value employment in advanced defence technologies, facilitating the co-development of future systems and the adaptation of existing ones.
Al Marar emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership, enhancing EDGE's position in key markets and accelerating capabilities in advanced weapon systems. He noted that the collaboration with EM and E Group combines European defence expertise with EDGE's extensive range of air, land, and maritime platforms, providing a competitive edge for customers. Al Marar also highlighted the agreement's role in fostering deeper industrial cooperation with Spain's defence sector, positioning the UAE as a hub for next-generation defence technology development.
Fern¡ndez described the alliance as a critical milestone in EM and E Group's international expansion, acknowledging the cutting-edge engineering developed in Spain. By merging their remote weapon station technology with EDGE's industrial ecosystem, both companies aim to bolster export capabilities and become pivotal partners in developing disruptive defence solutions.
The collaboration and future joint venture signify a major step in EM and E Group's internationalisation strategy, reinforcing its commitment to expanding technological solutions in high-level global markets. By integrating their engineering capabilities with EDGE's robust defence ecosystem, the companies are advancing a cooperation model to ensure industrial strengthening, specialized job creation, and high-end technology in demanding international markets.