United Arab Emirates defense manufacturer EDGE Group has announced a strategic partnership with French shipbuilder CMN NAVAL to create a joint venture (JV) dedicated to the manufacture of naval vessels. The new entity, AD NAVAL (ADN), will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi and aims to capitalize on pre-existing orders valued at approximately 7 billion euros ($7.5 billion) for a range of “small to mid-size” naval platforms. These platforms include corvettes, offshore patrol vehicles, high-speed interceptors, trimarans, and landing craft.
The exclusive agreement details ambitious plans for the joint venture, particularly in the integration of EDGE’s advanced technologies. The partnership seeks to incorporate sophisticated solutions, including autonomous air and sea systems, smart weapons, radar, and cyber capabilities into the vessels produced by ADN. This focus is targeted at non-NATO naval forces, which sets the groundwork for a broader market presence.
This development follows an earlier agreement between the two companies, aimed at jointly expanding their capabilities and reach in the naval sector, which was initially signed during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference 2025 in February. As part of the JV, EDGE Group will hold a 51 percent stake and intends to establish a dedicated design bureau. This bureau will not only manage intellectual property rights for future designs but will also facilitate access to CMN’s global supply chain and Integrated Logistics Support systems.
The collaboration extends beyond manufacturing, as the two firms will also work together on sales, commercial activities, and engineering operations, creating a synergy expected to yield significant benefits. Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, emphasized the potential for combining expertise in key markets, particularly in Africa, to deliver superior naval vessels from the UAE. He noted the initiative’s role in creating valuable direct and indirect job opportunities, thereby contributing to economic growth within the diverse and versatile defense sector.
CMN NAVAL Chairman Pierre Balmer echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for leveraging the expertise in shipbuilding alongside EDGE’s cutting-edge defense technologies. Their collaborative efforts are geared toward delivering next-generation naval solutions that will meet the evolving requirements of global maritime forces.
Furthermore, this new joint venture adds to EDGE’s expanding portfolio, which has already seen the company engage in joint production agreements for naval assets with renowned Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and the Brazilian Navy, underscoring a commitment to enhancing capabilities in the international defense landscape.
