The UAE’s state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE Group is significantly expanding its global operations with new facilities in Brazil and Switzerland. This initiative aims to enhance the company’s international presence in the research, development, and production of unmanned systems and missile technologies while also establishing infrastructure that supports regional defense capabilities.
In Brazil, EDGE has launched a state-of-the-art 6,000-square-meter headquarters and factory for its subsidiary, SIATT, located in São José dos Campos, São Paulo. This new facility is set to host cutting-edge research laboratories, engineering facilities, and production lines dedicated to developing advanced military technologies. Key projects include the Mansup standard and extended-range anti-ship missiles, the Max 1.2 AC anti-tank missile, and the SisGAAz coastal surveillance platform, among other solutions. The expansion is expected to create approximately 200 direct jobs and an additional 600 indirect positions, bolstering local employment in the region. This venture follows EDGE’s acquisition of a 50 percent stake in SIATT earlier this year.
Meanwhile, in Switzerland, EDGE’s subsidiary ANAVIA has inaugurated a new headquarters and unmanned aerial systems prototyping center in Bilten. This facility will serve as a research and development hub focused on next-generation autonomous rotary-wing systems, including the innovative HT-750 heavy-lift unmanned helicopter drone. The establishment of this center is projected to increase ANAVIA’s workforce in Switzerland to over 100 employees, further solidifying the company’s commitment to advancing drone technology.
The recent expansions are complemented by strategic collaborations with industries in Hungary and France. In August, EDGE’s Brazilian subsidiary, CONDOR, entered an agreement with Hungary’s 4iG Space and Defence Technologies to explore the creation of a regional hub for non-lethal systems. This partnership aims to facilitate local production, technology transfers, training, and joint research efforts.
In another significant move, EDGE joined forces with French shipbuilder CMN Naval in March to establish AD NAVAL, a joint venture situated in Abu Dhabi. This venture is focused on manufacturing small to medium naval vessels, including corvettes, patrol vessels, high-speed interceptors, trimarans, and landing craft. The collaboration is also set to integrate EDGE’s autonomous systems, smart weapons, radar, and cyber solutions tailored for non-NATO naval forces.
These ambitious projects underscore EDGE Group’s strategy to broaden its global foothold in defense technologies and enhance collaborative efforts with international partners, reaffirming its role as a key player in the global defense landscape.
