United Arab Emirates has launched EDGE new Defence and Technology companies cluster.

United Arab Emirates has launched EDGE, the new United Arab Emirates Defence and Technology companies cluster on 5 November 2019, in Abu Dhabi, the official ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

EDGE will incorporate 25 private companies and subsidiaries of government-owned Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG) and Tawazun Holding. (Picture source Twitter account EDGE)

During the official ceremony of the launch of EDGE in Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed al-Nahyan, commander of UAE armed forces, announced that EDGE will incorporate 25 private companies and subsidiaries of government-owned Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG) and Tawazun Holding.

His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director, EDGE said, “EDGE will invest extensively across R&D, working closely with front-line operators to design and deploy practical solutions that address real world challenges.”

He added: “The solution to address hybrid warfare, lies at the convergence of innovations from the commercial world and the military industry. Established with a core mandate to disrupt an antiquated military industry generally stifled by red tape, EDGE is set to bring products to market faster and at more cost-effective price points.”

Al Bannai has been appointed to lead EDGE, based on his start-up background and proven track record in leveraging emerging technologies to expand business opportunities at home and abroad.

In contributing to innovation and advanced technology growth, EDGE will develop deeper partnerships with world-leading industry OEMs and defence contractors, the SME sector and academia alike. Accelerating the rate of innovation, it will also be attracting elite industry experts and talent from around the globe, to help on a wide spectrum of modern product development, ranging from ideation to building cross domain capabilities over its five core business clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Cyber Defence, Electronic Warfare & Intelligence, and Mission Support.

The company is set to implement advanced technologies such as autonomous capabilities, cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things, advanced propulsion systems, robotics and smart materials, with a focus on artificial intelligence across all its products and services.

Commenting on EDGE, His Excellency Tareq Abdul Raheem Al Hosani, Chief Executive Officer of Tawazun Economic Council (the UAE’s Defence Enabler) said: “We are invested in managing the uncertainty that technology brings by adapting our focus and capabilities towards a sustainable defence and security industry. EDGE will help us transform our domestic capabilities while growing our engagements on defence and security exports.”

In 2018, the UAE topped the Global Innovation Index for the Arab world. EDGE aims to help the UAE to retain and expand that foremost position.