Middle East war a boon for UAE defence giant with global ambitions

The Abu Dhabi-based defence company EDGE is capitalizing on the recent Middle East conflict to expand its global presence. Established in 2019, EDGE manufactures a range of weapons, including drones, missiles, armoured vehicles, AI technology, and naval vessels. Throughout the US-Iran conflict, nearly 3,000 missiles and drones targeted the UAE, tarnishing its image as a safe haven, but providing a substantial boost for the company.

Khaled Al Zaabi, a top EDGE executive, stated that nearly all its products are now battle-proven. With a workforce of 19,000, EDGE relies heavily on international exports for revenue. The company is aggressively pushing into Europe, setting up its first headquarters in Paris. EDGE's focus is on air defence systems, particularly countering drone attacks, a priority for the UAE, which has spent over $8 billion on US air defence systems.

The company aims to become one of the largest manufacturers of micro-jet engines for autonomous vehicles in Europe. Despite controversies surrounding the use of its armoured vehicles by Sudan's paramilitaries, EDGE has continued to expand, acquiring defence firms and making strategic investments across Europe.