Abu dhabi: EDGE Group has announced a substantial $25 billion in contracts currently under execution, a figure that signifies the company's role in bolstering the defence industry. This revelation was made by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EDGE Group, who highlighted that last year's sales amounted to $5 billion, with over 70 percent of sales attributed to exports. This statistic underscores the growing international footprint of the UAE's defence sector.
According to Emirates News Agency, Al Marar shared these insights during the Make it in the Emirates 2026 event. He detailed that approximately 50 percent of the contracts are designated for export, spanning a period of seven to twelve years. This timeline indicates a robust international demand for EDGE's products and solutions. EDGE Group employs 19,000 people, including 4,000 engineers, with Emirati engineers making up half of this number. Al Marar noted a rising interest among Emirati engineers in advanced technologies and manufacturing sectors, aiming to join the group.
Al Marar emphasized the importance of a sovereign defence industry, highlighting EDGE's commitment through strategic initiatives that have enhanced national readiness and resilience. He reported that over 80 percent of EDGE's systems are now produced within the UAE, with ongoing partnerships both locally and internationally facilitating technology transfer and supply chain security. This commitment has led to record purchase orders expected in 2025.
EDGE Group has been integrating artificial intelligence into its manufacturing processes, having completed more than 68 transformation projects related to advanced technology in 2025. This integration has resulted in a doubling of production capacity across 13 of its subsidiaries. Furthermore, Al Marar announced plans to introduce the 'Innovate to Defend by EDGE' challenge, aimed at fostering innovation and developing solutions aligned with national security priorities. This initiative will offer a platform for individuals to present innovative ideas, with pathways to transform these concepts into viable solutions within EDGE's industrial ecosystem.