The UAE defense industry emerged as a surging force at the 2025 International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2025), using the exhibition in Abu Dhabi to showcase advanced indigenous solutions, secure multibillion-dollar contracts, and forge strategic partnerships in leading Western European and East Asian defence markets.
EDGE Group spearheaded this effort with record-breaking sales, while emerging original equipment manufacturers (OEM) like Calidus and collaborations with large foreign vendors demonstrated UAE’s growing role as a defence systems integrator and subcontractor.
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EDGE Group Dominates with $2.9 billion USD in Sales
EDGE concluded IDEX 2025 with $2.9 billion in new sales with 16 major contracts and 32 international agreements, cementing its position as the Middle East’s premier defense technology exporter. In fact, it used a 9,000 m2 pavilion to showcase 218 systems – more than double its portfolio in 2023 – spanning a wide range of autonomous platforms, smart weapons, and novel cybersecurity solutions.
Key contracts included:
- $1.18 billion USD in aerial munitions sales to the UAE Armed Forces
- $61.8 million USD for GPS PROTECT anti-jamming systems to the UAE Ministry of Defence
- €500 million deal with Fincantieri to support the UAE Navy’s (UAEN) fleet
When it was established, exports made about 2% of EDGE Group’s sales. In 2024, exports made up 35% of EDGE Group’s business. EDGE Group Chairman Faisal al Bannai said, “if we do close some of the deals we’re expecting to close this year, it could go to 50% or beyond 50% of our orders.”
Thus far, sales have largely been in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The U.S. is the only largely untapped market for EDGE Group, currently at least.
One of the factors helping EDGE Group grow its exports is international growth, especially through a burgeoning network of subsidiaries. It currently has 35 subsidiaries – up from 20 in 2023 – via strategic acquisitions, like a 50% stake in Brazil’s SIATT or a majority stake in Estonia-based Milrem Robotics.
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