UMEX 2026 closed with three new deals allocated to local UAE defense companies, valued at roughly AED 1.26 billion ($342 million). EDGE Group signed two contracts, including the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with jet engines and the purchase of the Tracked RCV & THEMIS system.
The Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) in Abu Dhabi saw significant growth with EDGE Group leading the way in announcements. The company secured over $200 million in new deals for its Scorpio small UAV and other projects.
EDGE Group, the United Arab Emirates' defense conglomerate, made several announcements at this year's Dubai Airshow, including a partnership with Indonesia and an alliance with Anduril. According to Breaking Defense, CEO Hamad Al Marar and President Waleid Al Mesmari discussed EDGE's plans for expansion beyond the Middle East.
MBDA plans to establish a new wholly-owned subsidiary in the UAE, focusing on loitering munitions and missiles. The company aims to increase its presence in the Middle East through partnerships with local firms like EDGE Group and Calidus.
L3Harris has announced that its F-16 electronic warfare system, Viper Shield, has been cleared for low-rate production by the US Air Force. The company plans to deliver the first batch of systems in December 2026, with a total of 219 systems on order.
The third edition of World Defense show in Saudi Arabia saw an almost complete absence of Emirati defense firms, including EDGE Group and Tawazun, according to Breaking Defense. The move is attributed to deteriorating relations between the two Gulf countries, particularly over their conflicting stances on the conflict in Yemen.
EDGE Group unveiled several new systems at the Dubai Airshow and announced over a dozen new deals or cooperation agreements, including a $7 billion deal with Indonesia. CEO Hamad Al Marar emphasized the importance of exports in covering EDGE's expenses and diversifying its clientele.
EDGE Group has partnered with Spanish firm Indra to establish a loitering munitions and weapons manufacturing entity in Europe. The company will be located in the León province of Spain at Indra's new facility, with an investment of between €15 million and €20 million.
Barzan Holdings and EDGE Group have formed a first-of-its-kind joint defense firm to develop defense platforms and technologies. This partnership may signal a growing trend of regional defense cooperation, Breaking Defense reports.
Anduril, a US defense tech firm, has partnered with UAE-based EDGE Group to establish an organization called the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance. The alliance aims to manufacture drones for commercial applications, with orders already booked and plans for full rate production by 2028.
Defense companies EDGE Group and Anduril Industries have announced plans to combine their knowledge and expertise to build a series of next generation autonomous systems, including Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV). On November 13, 2025, Abu Dhabi-based EDGE and US-owned Anduril unveiled the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance.