EDGE signs Dhs9 billion naval contract with Kuwait ministry

EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, has announced the signing of a major Dhs9 billion ($2.45 billion) defence contract with the Kuwait Ministry of Defence for the supply of FALAJ3 62-metre missile boats.

This contract marks the largest naval shipbuilding export in the region and ranks among the highest-value naval export deals globally.

As the prime contractor, EDGE will lead the programme which includes the design, construction, trials, and delivery of the vessels, in addition to Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and In-Service Support (ISS).

EDGE will also provide the ammunition for the vessels, further demonstrating its end-to-end capability offering.

Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), EDGE Group’s naval arm and the UAE’s leading shipbuilder, has been selected as the build subcontractor for the programme.

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO, EDGE, said, “This agreement with Kuwait is hugely significant both in scale and strategic importance. It deepens long-term defence ties between our nations, brings a proven class of advanced vessels into regional service, and reinforces EDGE’s position as a trusted international partner. It also reflects the pace of industrial and engineering progress we’ve achieved in just a few years, and our ability to design, build, and deliver complex naval platforms at scale. As we enter a new phase of export-led growth, this programme marks a clear signal of global confidence in what EDGE can deliver.”

The FALAJ 3-class missile boat has also been selected by the UAE Navy, with the first vessel, ALTAF, formally commissioned into service in February 2025. This operational deployment reflects the vessel’s proven capability and performance in regional waters. With the latest agreement, these advanced 62-metre vessels are tailored to meet Kuwait’s operational requirements, offering high performance, advanced combat systems, and enhanced capabilities for littoral defence operations.

This latest contract reinforces EDGE’s position as a trusted partner for customers seeking turnkey defence solutions and integrated long-term support, while driving the UAE’s strategic objectives for defence exports and industrial collaboration.

In March this year, EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and CMN NAVAL, a world-renowned naval shipbuilding group specialising in the design, engineering, and construction of superior naval and commercial vessels, and mega yachts, have formally agreed to create a new Abu Dhabi-based shipbuilding joint venture (JV) named AD NAVAL (ADN).

Leveraging an existing order pipeline worth approximately EUR 7 billion, the JV will bring together both companies under an exclusivity agreement on the segment of high value small to mid-size naval vessels including Corvettes, Offshore Patrol Vehicles (OPVs), High-speed Interceptors, Trimarans, and Landing Craft.

The move will see EDGE significantly expand the scope of its capabilities in the naval domain.

EDGE, holding a 51 percent stake in the new company, will collaborate with CMN NAVAL on sales, commercial activities, and engineering. It will also establish a design bureau which will assume intellectual property rights for all future designs.

The JV will grant EDGE access to CMN NAVAL’s global supply chain and its advanced Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) system and software, enhancing cost efficiency and operational performance through predictive and preventative maintenance, as well as the provision and management of all spare parts.

The scope of the JV will also explore Combat Systems Integration (CSI) of EDGE’s advanced autonomous air and sea, and smart weapons solutions onto vessels built by the new company.

The announcement comes closely on the heels of an initial partnership agreement signed at IDEX 2025 last month in Abu Dhabi, where both parties laid the foundations for collaboration across multiple domains, including the development of cutting-edge naval platforms, system integration, maintenance, and commercial initiatives, aiming to set new benchmarks in naval innovation, leveraging next-generation technologies such as AI-driven autonomous systems, advanced combat solutions, and modular ship designs.

The joint venture will create valuable direct employment opportunities for skilled personnel in the UAE, as well as related third-party opportunities across its global supply chain.

The joint venture marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the UAE’s naval defense capabilities while fostering global competitiveness. By combining EDGE’s technological expertise with CMN NAVAL’s shipbuilding legacy, the partnership aims to deliver next-generation naval solutions tailored to modern maritime challenges. This collaboration not only reinforces the UAE’s position as a key player in the defense industry but also drives innovation, economic growth, and long-term sustainability in the sector.

WAM