Defence in brief: EDGE Group sets off for Türkiye

The EDGE Group from the UAE will be exhibiting at the 17th IDEF exhibition in Türkiye marking the first time that the group has had an exhibition presence in the country, according to a July 16 press release. An extensive range of EDGE Group products will be on display from 22-27 July, including several of the company’s smart munitions, the FA-400 patrol vessel, and guided munitions for UAVs. 

“Our first participation at IDEF is significant for EDGE as we continue to pave the way for meaningful cooperation between the UAE and Türkiye. We look forward to capitalising on opportunities for collaboration and fostering mutually beneficial partnerships,” Miles Chambers, Senior Vice President of International Business at EDGE said in the press release. 

The EDGE Group established a Turkish subsidiary called MALATH in 2023, which is designed to facilitate close relations between the defence industries of the two countries. The first strategic agreement between MALATH and SAHA, the industry body representing much of Türkiye’s defence industry, was expected to pave the way for cooperation with 23 companies. A separate 2024 agreement with EDA RF Technologies from Türkiye was expected to bring the latter’s satellite ground control stations into EDGE’s supply chain. 

That same year, MALATH and Baykar Technologies signed an agreement to integrate smart munitions like the Desert Sting 16 from the EDGE Group onto Baykar’s UAVs, which includes systems like the Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci. 

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Since launching in 2019 and consolidating much of the UAE’s defence industry, the EDGE Group has expanded rapidly. Having initially focused on the UAE’s domestic industry, it is increasingly making its presence known in the export field. The company recently secured a $2.45 billion deal to build Falaj-3 boats for Kuwait. The approach to Türkiye has so far been collaborative, indicating that the company will be looking for industry partners in Istanbul this coming week. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on July 22, 2025. Credit for the lead image is the EDGE Group.