Abu dhabi: EDGE Group of the United Arab Emirates and Safran Electronics and Defence, a global leader in high-technology within the aviation, defence, and space sectors, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the development, production, and commercialisation of advanced air-to-ground weapon systems.

According to Emirates News Agency, this initial phase of collaboration sets the stage for expanding on Safran's existing systems, enhancing their range and performance, and advancing into surface-to-air missile development. This progression aims to pave the way for the next generation of smart weapons.

The partnership seeks to combine Safran's expertise in propulsion and navigation systems with EDGE's industrial scale and technology portfolio to deliver competitive, export-ready solutions for the global market. The collaboration is expected to offer enhanced operational effectiveness to international customers.

The MoU was signed at EDGE Group headquarters in Abu Dhabi, with the formalisation conducted by Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, and Alexandre Ziegler, Head of Defence Global Business Unit, Safran Electronics and Defense.

Hamad Al Marar commented on the collaboration's potential to leverage the complementary strengths of both companies. He emphasized the unique platform created by the partnership to deliver innovative solutions for global defence customers and address evolving operational requirements in international markets.

Alexandre Ziegler highlighted Safran's longstanding relationships in the UAE, built on trust and long-term cooperation. He noted that the agreement with EDGE signifies the strength of their partnership and their intent to develop innovative, localised solutions tailored to the evolving needs of allied armed forces, with a focus on supporting localisation and innovation.