Edge and CMN Naval join forces to develop next-generation warships with AI-driven autonomous systems.

On March 19, 2025, Edge, a UAE-based defense group, and CMN Naval, a French naval shipbuilding company specializing in the design, engineering, and construction of naval and commercial vessels, announced the establishment of a joint venture named AD Naval (ADN) in Abu Dhabi. The partnership is set to manufacture corvettes, offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), high-speed interceptors, trimarans, and landing craft. The joint venture will incorporate an existing non-NATO commercial order pipeline valued at approximately €7 billion.
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This new joint venture aims to develop naval platforms with next-generation technologies, including AI-driven autonomous systems and modular ship designs tailored to global clients' specific operational requirements. (Picture source: Edge)

Edge will hold a 51% stake in ADN, assuming responsibility for sales, commercial activities, and engineering operations. The joint venture will also establish a design bureau, ensuring intellectual property rights for future vessel designs remain within the partnership. Edge will gain access to CMN Naval’s global supply chain and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) system, designed to optimize cost efficiency, predictive and preventative maintenance, and spare parts management.

A primary objective of the venture is the integration of Edge’s combat systems, including autonomous air and sea platforms, smart weapons, radar, and cyber solutions, onto the vessels produced by ADN. This integration aligns with Edge’s objective of expanding naval capabilities while targeting non-NATO markets.

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director & CEO of Edge Group, stated that the partnership supports Edge’s goal of enhancing naval capabilities and technology exchange. He identified Africa as a key market and noted that the venture will generate employment opportunities in the UAE and internationally. The collaboration focuses on integrating Edge’s autonomous and combat technologies into naval platforms.

The joint venture builds on an agreement signed at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where both companies agreed to cooperate on naval platform development, system integration, and commercial initiatives. The collaboration will focus on AI-driven autonomous systems, advanced combat solutions, and modular ship designs.

Pierre Balmer, Chairman of CMN Naval, stated that the partnership will contribute to naval shipbuilding and expand CMN Naval’s international market presence. He highlighted technology transfer, industrial cooperation, and employment generation as key aspects of the agreement.

CMN Naval, which operates shipbuilding facilities in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, has produced over 3,500 vessels for 48 navies worldwide. The company has participated in UAE naval programs, including the Baynunah corvette project. Through ADN, CMN Naval aims to merge its shipbuilding expertise with Edge’s defense technology capabilities to develop naval solutions that align with global maritime requirements.

The collaboration between Edge Group and CMN Naval is influenced by evolving global security conditions that have increased the demand for advanced naval capabilities. Geopolitical tensions and emerging maritime threats are driving nations to modernize their naval fleets with technological advancements such as artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems. The global warship and naval vessel market, valued at approximately $71.1 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $110.3 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.63% over this period.

A primary objective of the venture is the integration of Edge’s combat systems, including autonomous air and sea platforms, smart weapons, radar, and cyber solutions, onto the vessels produced by ADN. (Picture source: Edge)

In the Middle East, maritime security has gained importance, with regional powers seeking to bolster naval capabilities to protect strategic interests. The UAE’s strategic location along vital maritime trade routes necessitates a capable naval force to ensure the security of these channels. ADN aims to address these regional security needs by developing naval platforms with next-generation technologies, including AI-driven autonomous systems and modular ship designs tailored to global clients' specific operational requirements.

Established in 2019, Edge Group is a defense conglomerate based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), formed by consolidating over 25 entities from Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG), and Tawazun Holding. The group employs approximately 12,000 individuals and operates across five core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Space & Cyber Technologies, Trading & Mission Support, and Homeland Security. Edge has expanded its global footprint, maintaining a presence in over 30 countries across North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. The group has also pursued strategic acquisitions, including a majority stake in Estonia’s Milrem Robotics and a 50% shareholding in Brazil’s SIATT, enhancing its capabilities in autonomous systems and smart weapon technologies.

Edge has been actively involved in naval projects. In 2023, the group secured a €1 billion contract with the Angolan Navy to supply 71-meter corvette vessels. Additionally, Edge’s subsidiary, Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), launched the first vessel under the Falaj 3 program, further expanding its naval portfolio. In collaboration with Fincantieri, Edge formalized the Maestral shipbuilding joint venture, which includes an order for 10 naval vessels valued at €400 million. These projects demonstrate Edge’s growing role in the naval sector.

Founded in 1946 in Cherbourg, France, CMN Naval (Constructions Mécaniques de Normandie) is a shipbuilding company specializing in the construction of naval and commercial vessels. Over the decades, CMN Naval has expanded its operations, establishing facilities and shipyards in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. The company has delivered over 3,500 vessels and provided support to 48 navies worldwide. Its product range extends from 15-meter high-speed interceptors to frigates, addressing a broad spectrum of naval requirements.

CMN Naval’s portfolio includes vessels designed for various operations, from littoral missions to open-sea engagements. The company has been involved in large-scale programs to build naval vessels, as well as specific projects such as the Tara polar station, a scientific platform focused on polar research. CMN Naval also operates an Innovation Lab, focusing on the design and development of surface combatants equipped with advanced communication systems.

The ADN joint venture aims to advance naval shipbuilding through next-generation technologies and international cooperation. The partnership is expected to contribute to industrial collaboration, technology transfer, and economic activity in the UAE and other markets. The anticipated growth of the global warship and naval vessels market, combined with increasing regional security concerns, highlights the relevance of this joint initiative in developing naval capabilities for international clients.