In Abu Dhabi, the UAE-based defense conglomerate EDGE has seen a surge in demand for its military products amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, marking a significant step in its growth and international expansion. Established in 2019 through the consolidation of several UAE defense firms, EDGE now employs around 19,000 people and offers a broad portfolio including drones, missiles, armored vehicles, artificial intelligence-enabled technologies, and naval vessels.
The conflict, characterized by nearly six months of US-Iran hostilities and repeated missile and drone attacks on the UAE, has challenged the country’s reputation as a secure hub but provided EDGE with the opportunity to demonstrate its capabilities in live combat conditions. “Before the war, we only had a handful of battle-proven products. After the war, many more of our systems have gained that distinction,” said Khaled Al Zaabi, EDGE’s president of platforms and systems, speaking from the company’s headquarters. This combat validation has translated into markedly increased demand, particularly for export markets, although company executives did not disclose specific sales figures.
EDGE, which has rapidly become the leading defense contractor in the Arab world, now generates the majority of its revenue through exports. Industry observers note that regional demand for advanced weapons systems is expected to grow, particularly in areas such as air defense. One of EDGE’s ongoing projects is the SkyKnight short-range air defense system, designed to counter saturation drone attacks; it is slated for release in 2028 but may be accelerated through phased development, according to Saeed Al-Shamsi, CEO of Halcon—an EDGE subsidiary focused on air defense.
Despite EDGE’s advances, the UAE continues to rely heavily on sophisticated U.S.-made air defense systems, including Patriot and THAAD missiles, having invested over $8 billion in U.S. weaponry since the conflict’s onset. Khaled Al Zaabi emphasized that many threats, like Shahed drones, can be countered more economically with domestically developed drones and electronic jamming systems. The UAE claims that 85 percent of drone interceptions have been achieved through its own jamming technologies, a figure viewed with some skepticism by external analysts.
To enhance self-reliance, EDGE is accelerating development of indigenous air defense solutions, jammers, and drones. At Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, the group is expanding production facilities, including a new 5,600-square-meter site dedicated to manufacturing micro-jet engines primarily for defense applications, said Michael Deshaies, CEO of EDGE’s EPI company.
On the international stage, EDGE is pursuing aggressive expansion, focusing on acquisitions and majority stakes in defense firms to extend its global footprint. The group’s exports accounted for 70 percent of its $5 billion revenue last year. Following investments in Latin America, including a $500 million commitment in Brazil, EDGE recently established its European headquarters in Paris. This move aims to capitalize on heightened defense spending in Europe, driven by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and increased NATO expenditures.
EDGE plans to open new production facilities in France for engines and drones, intending to market these products as locally made to appeal to Western defense markets. Albert Vidal, a researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that the company’s ability to penetrate Western and NATO countries will be key to its aspiration to rank among the world’s top 10 defense contractors. European military budgets currently exceed those of Latin America, Africa, and South Asia combined, underscoring the strategic importance of EDGE’s European expansion.