EM&E Group, a Spanish group specialising in defence and security technologies, and EDGE, the UAE-based advanced technology and defence group, have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture in the UAE. The agreement was signed at Eurosatory 2026, following the initial announcement of the partnership in February.
The planned joint venture’s commercial pipeline has increased from an initial $1.5 billion to an estimated $1.725 billion, representing a 15% increase. The new company is scheduled to begin operations during the final quarter of 2026.
The joint venture will focus on the global promotion of advanced weapon systems developed by EM&E Group through a co-production framework. As part of the arrangement, EM&E will facilitate technology transfer to enable EDGE’s industrial and technological ecosystem to manufacture parts of the weapon stations in the UAE, while production of the remaining components will continue in Spain. The new company will also manufacture a new weapon station tailored to the evolving requirements of the global defence sector.
Omar Al Zaabi, President – Commercial, EDGE Group, said: “This joint venture brings EM&E’s advanced weapon systems production into EDGE’s industrial base, giving us a stronger platform to serve customers around the world. The rise in our commercial pipeline to $1.725 billion since February confirms there is real appetite for what we will build together, and we look forward to the joint venture beginning operations in due course.”
Fernando Fernández, CEO of EM&E Group, said: “With the signing of this agreement, the joint venture with EDGE becomes a tangible reality that boosts our internationalisation and highlights the technological innovation we lead from Spain. Combining the cutting-edge nature of our weapon systems with EDGE’s industrial and technological muscle not only dynamises our global export capabilities but also establishes a solid foundation to jointly lead the creation of new avant-garde security and defence solutions.”
The partnership builds on the companies’ earlier agreement announced in February, which identified advanced remote weapon stations as an initial focus and established plans for deeper industrial cooperation and technology transfer.
The joint venture is intended to combine EM&E Group’s engineering and defence technology capabilities with EDGE’s industrial ecosystem in the UAE. The collaboration is also expected to support specialised employment, technology development and the expansion of both companies’ international defence activities.
