With help from Italy to Brazil, UAE’s EDGE Group beefs up maritime capabilities under new deals

BEIRUT — United Arab Emirates defense conglomerate EDGE Group has signed three international agreements focused on maritime capabilities and autonomous systems, and one to upgrade neighboring marine vessels this week during the 2024 Euronaval exposition in Paris.

The first was sealed with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to codevelop underwater solutions in the UAE, the second was signed with the Brazilian navy to codevelop counter-drone systems, and the third was signed with French defense firm Lacroix to equip EDGE Group’s RABDAN fast attack boats with decoy systems. The fourth agreement was with the Kuwaiti coast guard to repair some of its ships.

“The MoU [with Fincantieri] would see both groups collaborate on the design, development, and creation of advanced manned and unmanned underwater systems solution capability in the United Arab Emirates through their recently launched, Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilding joint venture, MAESTRAL,” a statement this week from EDGE Group said. “This preliminary agreement will pave the way and boost for developing sophisticated solutions tailored to the unique underwater needs of navies worldwide.”

EDGE Group and Fincantieri launched MAESTRAL in February this year to codevelop naval systems in the UAE. The joint venture has prime rights to non-NATO orders and a number of strategic orders placed by selected NATO member countries, EDGE said.

The agreement will be the first step for the Emirati firm in underwater development.

“From the outset, we recognized that only through collaboration and partnership could we develop the technologies and expertise necessary for EDGE to lead in the air, land, sea, cyber, and space domains. Our ongoing partnership with Fincantieri exemplifies this strategy, opening limitless opportunities for both companies in the joint development and production of advanced surface and underwater naval solutions,” said EDGE Group CEO Hamad Al Marar in the statement.

Gulf State Analytics analyst Leonardo Jacopo Maria Mazzucco told Breaking Defense that this agreement shows the evolution of the relationship between the two firms.

“Once a hungry buyer of Fincantieri’s products, the UAE has gradually sought to shift its role in the defense products marketplace, turning from a loyal customer into a reliable industrial partner for the Italian shipbuilder,” he said.

Mazzucco stated that the benefits are not only to develop defense solutions “capable of partially offsetting the shortage of manpower in the UAE Navy,” but also to support “EDGE’s quest to generate revenue streams from the manufacturing of high added value military products for the export market.”

EDGE’s agreement with the Brazilian navy aims to develop autonomous surface and aerial defense systems, specifically developing and deploying counter-drone systems

“This preliminary agreement to pursue the joint development and delivery of sophisticated counter-drone technologies and solutions will not only ensure that both parties benefit from the sharing of knowledge and innovation but will also enable us, as partners, to become leaders in the field, meeting sovereign needs and eventually those of other export markets in the face of modern naval and airborne threats,” said the Director General of Material for the Brazilian Navy Adm. Edgar Luiz Siqueira Barbosa.

EDGE Group subsidiary Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) also inked a deal with LaCroix at Euronaval to equip its RABDAN FA-400 fast attack boats with decoy systems and countermeasures.

The RABDAN fast attack vessel is a 45-meter long boat designed for patrolling territorial and coastal borders.

“This [agreement] greatly enhances its [RABDAN’s] defence capabilities, ensuring it is fully prepared to support military operations, search and rescue, surveillance, and patrol activities in modern maritime environments,” said David Massey, CEO of ADSB, in a statement.

Mazzucco told Breaking Defense that the pace and level of partnerships between EDGE and European original equipment manufacturers have significantly accelerated during the past four years.

“The UAE has cultivated solid industrial partnerships with leading weapon companies to advance its localization ambitions and bolster employment opportunities for nationals. Regarding strategic industrial cooperation, the UAE’s partner-seeking strategy has prioritized partnerships with top European defense companies in the air, naval, and automation sectors for two reasons: First, these three domains are critical to ensuring the UAE’s national security; second, they manufacture high-value defense products for export,” he said.

The Emirati firm didn’t leave the French naval expo without sealing a contract with Kuwait for the reconstruction, repair, development, and upgrade of Kuwaiti Coast Guard marine vessels.

The work is expected to take place at the shipyard in Abu Dhabi, though the value and timeline of the deal were not announced.