EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Leonardo, a major global industrial group that builds technological capabilities in aerospace, defence, and security, have signed a groundbreaking collaboration agreement to further enhance their partnership in developing solutions across six critical domains. 

 

The agreement aims to strengthen existing synergies and capitalise on new complementary opportunities for deeper cooperation.

 

The pivotal agreement, signed at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025, currently taking place in Abu Dhabi, establishes a strategic framework for the UAE market while advancing a global export strategy. It aims to enhance synergies, facilitate knowledge exchange, and optimise specialised resources to capitalise on emerging opportunities more effectively. The collaboration will focus on key domains: Airborne Capabilities including Radar – particularly 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.

 

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.

 

EDGE signs Letter of Intent with Lockheed Martin 

EPI, an EDGE entity and the cornerstone of precision engineering in the UAE’s aerospace, oil and gas, and defence industries, has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Lockheed Martin, a global defence technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery, to explore emerging opportunities to support the UAE’s industrial growth, reinforce its national defence capabilities and strengthen self-sufficiency in key defence domains.

 

The LoI was signed by Michael Deshaies, CEO of EPI, and John S Clark, Vice President of Business Development at Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control division, and witnessed by Khaled Al Zaabi, President of Platforms and Systems cluster at EDGE.

 

Under the LoI, EPI and Lockheed Martin will explore areas of opportunities to strengthen EPI’s commitment to support the UAE’s industrial growth, national defence capabilities, and self-sufficiency in significant defence domains.  

 

Speaking on the synergy, Michael Deshaies said: “Part of our core strategy at EPI is to explore mutually beneficial partnerships to drive the diversification of our operations and join forces with key players in aerospace and defence, in line with our commitment to excellence and innovation. Also aligned with EDGE’s mission to localise trailblazing technologies and industrial capabilities, we are well on track to strengthening the UAE’s position as a leading competitive industrial centre in various sectors.”

 

“Lockheed Martin is proud to work alongside EPI to foster innovation, strengthen local industry, and advance the UAE’s long-term defence capabilities,” said John Clark. “This collaboration underscores our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge technologies and building a sustainable industrial base in the region.”- TradeArabia News Service