The agreement also paves the way for joint marketing efforts targeting international governments and commits both companies to developing shared intellectual property and future design innovations.
EDGE, the UAE-based advanced technology group, and Leonardo, a global leader in aerospace, defence and security, have signed a major collaboration agreement to expand their partnership across six key defence domains.
Signed at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the agreement establishes a strategic framework to strengthen cooperation in the UAE market while driving global export initiatives. The partnership will enhance synergies, facilitate knowledge exchange and optimise resources to capitalise on emerging defence opportunities.
The collaboration will focus on six critical areas: Airborne Capabilities, including Radar for Multi-Mission Aircraft; Anti-Tactical Ballistic Missile Defence; Counter-Drone and Mobile Surveillance Systems; Naval Combat Management Systems; Radio Communications; and Optronics Commander Sight.
Commenting on the deal, Hamad Al Marar, EDGE Group Managing Director & CEO, said: “This important step marks the next phase in our existing strategic agreement with industry leader Leonardo, building on the opportunities presented by the strong relationship between the UAE and Italy. Fundamentally, however, it reinforces our vision of growth through mutually beneficial partnerships, ensuring a win-win approach to sourcing and realising complementary multi-domain opportunities across the world, and expanding these synergies for continued economic growth, innovation, and excellence, all in support of the sustainable preservation of security.”
The agreement is a precursor to a structured partnership focused on jointly marketing these products and solutions to governments across multiple countries. It also commits to the development of shared intellectual property (IP) and future design innovations.
Lorenzo Mariani, Co-General Manager of Leonardo, added: “We are deeply honoured and thrilled to collaborate with EDGE Group, aiming to establish unprecedented industrial capabilities for national and export requirements. The sectors identified as pillars of this joint strategy are getting more and more important in an evolving market and operational scenario. That is why we believe that joining forces in these fields will deliver the level of capabilities that the UAE and other export markets are requiring.
The strategic agreement aims to further enhance the capabilities of both EDGE and Leonardo in the design of cutting-edge, complex systems in disruptive sectors with significant market potential, and is a crucial step in diversifying and expanding both groups portfolios of airborne, terrestrial, naval, and cyber solutions.”
