EDGE Committed to Working Closely with Regional Partners

UAE-based EDGE Group has grown rapidly to encompass more than 35 entities with a portfolio of over 250 products. The company is making its maiden participation at DIMDEX this year. “Our presence reflects a long-term commitment to supporting Qatar and regional partners with operationally proven, mission-ready capabilities shaped by current defence needs,” Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, told GBP Daily News in an exclusive interview.

EDGE marks its first participation at DIMDEX in 2026. What does this debut represent for the Group?

EDGE’s participation at DIMDEX 2026 underscores the Group’s commitment to working closely with regional partners at a time when defence priorities are becoming more complex and interconnected. Established in 2019, EDGE has developed rapidly into a global advanced technology and defence group, uniting more than 35 entities and a portfolio of over 250 products and solutions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. Today, EDGE operates at full scale, with the ability to design, manufacture, integrate, and sustain capability across its own industrial ecosystem.

DIMDEX is particularly relevant because maritime security, coastal defence, and integrated naval operations are central to regional defence priorities. Our presence reflects a long-term commitment to supporting Qatar and regional partners with operationally proven, mission ready capabilities shaped by current defence needs.

This is also the first time we are presenting our portfolio in 2026 and it reflects where EDGE stands today, with clear priorities centred on partnerships, delivery, and sustained global relevance.

Please elaborate on EDGE’s partnerships with entities such as Barzan Holdings and other organisations in the Middle East?

Partnerships are central to how EDGE builds capability and expands internationally. We focus on long term relationships that are based on shared priorities, technical depth, and the ability to deliver together rather than simply collaborate.

Our partnership with Barzan Holdings reflects this approach. It is centred on joint product development and industrial cooperation aligned with the defence requirements of both Qatar and the UAE. The agreement strengthens our technical depth and provides a structured framework for sustained engagement across both markets.

What are EDGE’s key achievements in the maritime domain?

The maritime domain is one of EDGE’s most active areas of delivery. Our progress is defined by programmes under execution and long-term partnerships with national and international navies.

In the region, a major milestone has been our agreement with Kuwait for the supply of eight advanced missile attack craft, representing one of the largest naval programmes ever awarded in the Gulf. The programme reflects strong confidence in EDGE’s ability to deliver complex, combat ready maritime capability at scale.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building, EDGE Group’s shipbuilding company, is also building a fleet 71m corvettes to Angola in a EUR 1 billion deal, further demonstrating our ability to execute major naval programmes beyond our home market.

These programmes are supported by strategic industrial partnerships. Our joint ventures with Fincantieri and CMN Naval bring world class shipbuilding expertise, while Elettronica contributes advanced electronic warfare and radar capabilities. Together, these partnerships enable EDGE to deliver fully integrated, highly sophisticated naval vessels.

How is EDGE maintaining supply chain resilience amid global uncertainty?

Resilience is built into how EDGE operates. From the outset, we have invested in vertical integration, local manufacturing, and diversified supplier networks to reduce exposure to external disruption.

A key part of this approach is our ability to develop and produce critical subsystems in house. Through POWERTECH, EDGE designs and manufactures propulsion systems for unmanned platforms and missile applications. This gives us greater control over production timelines, protects continuity of supply, and strengthens the overall competitiveness of our systems.

At the same time, this capability allows EDGE to support wider industry requirements by supplying propulsion solutions beyond our own programmes. That combination of internal assurance and external relevance strengthens our supply chain, enhances customer confidence, and reinforces EDGE’s position as a reliable long term partner.

More broadly, our international partnerships are structured around sustained programmes and industrial cooperation rather than short term procurement. Together, these elements ensure predictability, continuity, and delivery even as the global environment remains uncertain.