The UAE’s state-owned defense conglomerate EDGE Group has announced expansions of its operations in Brazil and Switzerland.
The milestones aim to bolster the company’s international footprint in the research, development, and production of unmanned systems and missile technologies, while building local infrastructure to support regional defense capabilities.
SIATT in São Paulo: Headquarters and Productions
In Brazil, the firm launched a new 6,000-square-meter (64,583-square-foot) headquarters and factory for its subsidiary SIATT in São José dos Campos, São Paulo.
The site will host research laboratories, engineering facilities, and production lines to support the development of the Mansup standard and extended range anti-ship missiles, Max 1.2 AC anti-tank missile, SisGAAz coastal surveillance platform, and other related solutions.
EDGE’s new location is expected to generate approximately 200 direct jobs and 600 indirect positions in the region.
The South American expansion follows EDGE’s acquisition of a 50 percent stake in SIATT in 2023.
ANAVIA in Bilten: Helicopter Drone Hub
In Switzerland, EDGE’s subsidiary ANAVIA has opened a new headquarters and unmanned aerial systems prototyping center in Bilten, complementing its existing site in Näfels.
The facility will serve as ANAVIA’s research and development hub for next-generation autonomous rotary-wing systems, including the HT-750 heavy-lift unmanned helicopter drone.
The move is set to increase ANAVIA’s Swiss workforce to more than 100 employees.
Collaborations With Hungarian, French Industries
EDGE Group’s expansions in Brazil and Switzerland follow an August agreement between CONDOR, its Brazilian subsidiary for non-lethal technologies, and Hungary’s 4iG Space and Defence Technologies.
The collaboration explores the construction of a regional hub in Hungary for non-lethal systems, including local production, technology transfers, training, and joint research.
Separately, EDGE partnered with French shipbuilder CMN Naval in March to form AD NAVAL, a joint venture in Abu Dhabi for producing small to medium naval vessels, including corvettes, patrol vessels, high-speed interceptors, trimarans, and landing craft.
The venture also plans to integrate EDGE’s autonomous systems, smart weapons, radar, and cyber solutions for non-NATO naval forces.
