The initiatives were announced in June 2026, when EDGE launched its European subsidiary and signed a joint venture term sheet with Safran. The proposed venture would develop and manufacture next-generation precision-guided weapons in both the UAE and France.
EDGE said its European operation is investing in talent, developing technology and building capabilities for the long term. It described its strategy as working with European companies to strengthen national industrial bases rather than compete with them.
The Safran term sheet covers co-development and production, but the announcement did not identify specific weapons or investment commitments. It also gave no timetable for establishing the joint venture.
The group outlined its growing French ties as President Emmanuel Macron and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan toured EDGE manufacturing facilities in Abu Dhabi. The visit to Tawazun Industrial Park included operations belonging to ADASI, EPI, HALCON and POWERTECH.
Macron was accompanied by government ministers, senior French Presidency officials and defence industry chief executives. EDGE Chairman Faisal Al Bannai and Managing Director and CEO Hamad Al Marar received the delegation alongside the group’s senior leadership.
