United Arab Emirates defense manufacturer EDGE Group has partnered with French shipbuilder CMN NAVAL to establish a joint venture (JV) to manufacture naval vessels.
Based in Abu Dhabi, the JV named AD NAVAL (ADN) will leverage pre-existing orders valued at 7 billion euros ($7.5 billion) of “small to mid-size” naval platforms, such as corvettes, offshore patrol vehicles, high-speed interceptors, trimarans, and landing craft.
Under the exclusive agreement, the partnership will also explore the integration of EDGE’s advanced autonomous air and sea systems, smart weapons, radar, and cyber solutions into vessels developed by the ADN for non-NATO naval forces.
This announcement follows an initial agreement by both companies to “jointly pursue opportunities that will significantly expand capabilities and market reach across the naval domain,” signed at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference 2025 in February.
With a 51-percent stake in the JV, the Emirati firm will establish a design bureau to assume intellectual property rights for future designs and gain access to the French company’s global supply chain and Integrated Logistics Support system and software.
The companies will also collaborate on sales, commercial activities, and engineering operations.
“The scope of our collaboration with CMN, which is particularly strong in EDGE’s key focus markets in Africa, for example, will enable us to combine our expertise, and to share technology and know-how in the naval domain to build superior vessels in the UAE,” Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Hamad Al Marar said.
“Ultimately, it will also create valuable direct and indirect employment opportunities in the UAE and overseas, contributing to economic growth in this versatile and diverse sector. We are confident that CMN will be a great partner for continued innovation and success.”
Meanwhile, CMN NAVAL Chairman Pierre Balmer noted: “By leveraging our deep expertise in shipbuilding and EDGE’s cutting-edge defence technologies, we will deliver next-generation naval solutions tailored to the evolving needs of global maritime forces.”
In addition to this latest partnership, EDGE previously entered joint production agreements for naval assets with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and the Brazilian Navy.
