In a monumental development for the global security sector, EDGE and Leonardo have detailed final plans to establish a powerhouse Joint Venture (JV) dedicated to next-generation military technology. This groundbreaking alliance will explicitly focus on the development, commercialization, manufacturing, and long-term support of some of the most advanced key defence sensors and electronic warfare systems available worldwide. Announced at the Paris Air Show, the agreement marks a massive structural step forward in combining Middle Eastern industrial agility with European engineering prestige.
The operational scope of the newly formed venture is both highly technical and exceptionally broad, targeting critical gaps in modern combat environments. At the core of its product line will be state-of-the-art airborne radars specifically tailored for next-generation stealth platforms, alongside the highly capable Kronos Grand Mobile High-Power (HP) radar system. Furthermore, the collaboration will heavily invest in the modernization of advanced Combat Management Systems (CMS) and Multi-Mission Aircraft Sensors. Beyond electronic hardware and defence sensors, the joint entity will act as a major commercial launchpad to promote and sell the renowned M-346 fighter/trainer aircraft across European and international export markets.
By strategically fusing Leonardo‘s decades of deep engineering excellence with the rapid manufacturing scale of EDGE, the JV is positioned to shake up traditional procurement timelines. The partners aim to secure a dominant position as a leading player in the global defence sector, supplying military customers across Europe and allied international territories with cutting-edge, fully integrated solutions.
The financial and operational projections for the partnership underscore the massive scale of this corporate alignment. Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, highlighted the immense commercial runway and strategic synergy backing the new venture: “Leonardo brings decades of engineering excellence in radar and combat management, while we bring the industrial scale, agility, and market access to get that technology to customers faster. Together, this JV has the depth to build some of the most advanced sensor and systems technology in the world, with a projected pipeline beyond 4 billion euros in orders over the next five years.”
This sentiment of long-term economic and technological value was strongly matched by European leadership. Lorenzo Mariani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, emphasized how strategic alliances are becoming the definitive model for modern military industrialization: “The project to establish a Joint Venture with EDGE reflects Leonardo’s belief in the ability of strategic industrial partnerships to provide a key contribution to shape the future of the global defence industry.”
Mariani further detailed the collaborative vision, stating: “Industrial collaboration and joint ventures are a model we are increasingly embracing, and we are confident that, together with EDGE, we will establish a winning benchmark, setting new standards through technological excellence, industrial strength, and a shared long-term vision across the sectors we’ve identified for cooperation and across geographies.”
Ultimately, this venture represents a significant shift in how advanced defence sensors and military aircraft are brought to market. By creating a unified commercial platform that bridges European aerospace legacy with the UAE‘s rapidly advancing defence ecosystem, EDGE and Leonardo are setting an entirely new benchmark for international industrial cooperation. As global demand for sophisticated radar technology, stealth platform subsystems, and agile manufacturing continues to climb, this multi-billion-euro alliance ensures that both companies will remain at the absolute vanguard of global defence innovation for years to come.
