EDGE expands into new areas with GRADEONE stake

EDGE takes stake in pyrotechnics company, and keel laying for first Falaj 3 OPV.

Anita Hawser
17 February 2023
Keel laying ceremony for Falaj 3 OPV

 

The UAE’s EDGE Group has taken a 70% stake in Abu Dhabi-based GRADEONE. The company, which specialises in non-lethal pyrotechnics, ammunition, defence-related components and packing solutions, as well as defence trading.

GRADEONE will join EDGE under its Trading & Mission Support cluster. The announcement comes ahead of the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held at the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) from 20 to 24 February.

Ahead of the show in Abu Dhabi, EDGE Group also announced that it had acquired a controlling stake in Estonia’s Milrem Robotics.  

Commenting on the GRADEONE acquisition, Mansour AlMulla, managing director and CEO of EDGE, said: “EDGE is rapidly growing and with it our focus on the development of defence trading. Incorporating GRADEONE into the Group is an advantageous and logical decision for both companies, allowing EDGE to further perfect our solutions, both in military and safety service domains.

It also reinforces EDGE’s strategy of developing successful partnerships and broadening our supply chain and trading capabilities for the long term. GRADEONE’s demonstrated reliability in the region and resiliency in meeting commitments in challenging environments will bring tangible benefits to EDGE, and its customers.”

In addition to defence trading and services, GRADEONE specialises in providing various solutions to the military and defence sectors, including the army, special forces, navy, air force, law enforcement, and search and rescue services. GRADEONE also provides sporting and hunting equipment, supplies and accessories.

Khalifa Al Ali, Managing Director of GRADEONE, said joining forces with the EDGE Group will open new possibilities for mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as help it improve its capabilities. 

 

Keel laying for first Falaj 3 OPV

In other EDGE Group news, a keel-laying ceremony was held for the first Falaj 3 offshore patrol vessel which is being built for the UAE Armed Forces by Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding (ADSB). Held under the patronage of Rear Admiral Pilot Sheikh Saeed bin Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Commander of the Naval Forces, and attended by Naval Staff Brigadier Abdullah Faraj Al Mehairbi, Deputy Commander of UAE Naval Forces, and Mansour Almulla, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE, among several other dignitaries, the ceremony marked the completion of keel laying ahead of schedule. 

ADSB was awarded an AED3.5 billion contract by the Ministry of Defence and UAE Navy, to build four Falaj 3-class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs). The 60-metre Falaj 3, which is based on an ST Engineering design, features a sophisticated combat management system, sensors, and weapons, and can also undertake warfare in three dimensions: Air, Surface, and Sub-surface. Its design reduces radar cross-section, infrared, and acoustic signatures for a stealthier profile on the seas.