The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
One of the biggest defence companies in the Middle East says it will bounce back from Covid-19 with more vigour than ever.
Not only is business at Abu Dhabi's Edge returning to normal, but the company is working on sophisticated new weapons.
Established last year to combine the emirate's defence and technology sectors, Edge encompasses at least 25 companies.
Covid affected all businesses worldwide and when the cases were escalated, our business, like many, came to a standstill
Armoured vehicles, cyber warfare and electronic intelligence systems are just some of its areas of expertise. Many products were on display at last year's Dubai Airshow and Abu Dhabi's Unmanned System Exhibition and Conference.
In exclusive interviews with The National, the leaders of some these companies spoke about how Edge mitigated the effect of the coronavirus, is expanding its global footprint and how the normalisation of ties with Israel brings opportunity.
The challenges of the coronavirus
Like all sectors, defence was hit by the pandemic but now the picture is different.
“We have worked hard to minimise the impact of Covid-19," said Arafat Al Yafei, chief executive of Lahab (Arabic for flame), the UAE’s only ammunition manufacturer.
"Most of the suppliers are from different sectors and all the transportation lines have been impacted by Covid, so delay was there. However, I can assure you that the impact on us was minimal,” Mr Al Yafei said.
Officials said the impact of Covid-19 hit sales by 10 per cent, and with a combined annual revenue of $5 billion, that could mean a lot.
“Covid affected all businesses worldwide and when the cases escalated, our business, like many, came to a standstill. We still see disruptions in our facility but now we have come close to almost normal,” said Abraham DuPlessis, chief executive of Nimr (Arabic for tiger), that makes armoured vehicles.
"There was a period of six weeks to a month where productivity completely stopped. The impact I would say was around 10 per cent,” Mr DuPlessis said.
Edge employs more than 12,000 people and is steadily expanding its network. For example, Halcon in 2019 signed a $1 billion (Dh3.67bn) contract to deliver its Desert Sting-16 precision-guided weapons to the UAE Armed Forces. Edge's Adasi also unveiled the first fully autonomous Emirati-made drone earlier this year. Edge's companies are also exploring new markets, such as Israel.
"From our side wherever there is an opportunity, we are always after it under the guidelines of the government,” Mr Al Yafei said.
Why bullets still matter in world of cyber war
Lahab makes everything from bullets to bombs and meets US military and Nato specifications. Ammunition may be considered an older sector but is there any concern cyberware will make the bullet redundant?
“Cyber threats don’t eliminate the importance of a bullet," Mr Al Yafei said.
"A bullet is important for a weapon to function so I do not see that there is any chance that ammunition or conventional ammunition will be less important in the future."
The latest technology in ammunition involves guided warheads whose main objective is to ensure accuracy.
“You have ammunition that is integrated with guiding systems and with tracking systems – all of these new technologies are being studied and implemented.”
He said that orders are linked to geopolitical situations around the world but that orders for training scenarios are also important.
“At Lahab we are applying the latest technologies. We have a talented workforce and we manufacture full ammunition, from small range up to aircraft bombs. We are very proud to be the only manufacturer of ammunition in the country, which gives us both pride and a sense of responsibility,” he said.
Armoured vehicles made in the UAE
Nimr is the UAE’s leading manufacturer of armoured vehicles.
Exporting to nine countries across the globe, it plans to expand to Malaysia and Indonesia. Some of the vehicles come with an eye-watering price tag of almost $1m.
Its 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles are used in military scenarios and crowd control and, apart from the UAE Armed Forces, Algeria is its biggest customer.
"These vehicles are very expensive," said Mr DuPlessis. "If you compare them to your normal passenger car you would be quite astonished."
The range varies from $300,000 to $900,000 for one vehicle but they can easily last up to 40 years in service. The vehicles are made at a factory on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
Every few years the vehicles are stripped down and upgraded to what is almost a brand-new product.
“Our efforts now are in the next generation of vehicles which are the lighter vehicles – the Ajban and the Hafeet,” Mr DuPlessis said.
Nimr is also focusing on driverless cars, which are the next generation of combat vehicles.
“Although we are not developers of these technologies, our vehicles must accept it," said Mr DuPlessis. "We are redoing the whole electronic architecture of all the vehicles to allow us to have a digital platform that is open for third parties to integrate with and to make command and control easier to allow, in the future, driverless vehicles,” he said.
It is clear to see that Edge is forging ahead. Covid-19 is being overcome, but there are other challenges that Edge is confident of meeting.
“Challenge is part of life,” Mr Al Yafei said.
“We have challenges with Covid, we have challenges with keeping the high quality, we have challenges of reducing the cost [and] of the penetration of new markets," he said.
"That is the beauty of life, to have challenges and overcomes those challenges."
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
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- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The view from The National
RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Hometown: Birchgrove, Sydney Australia
Age: 59
Favourite TV series: Outlander Netflix series
Favourite place in the UAE: Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque / desert / Louvre Abu Dhabi
Favourite book: Father of our Nation: Collected Quotes of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
Thing you will miss most about the UAE: My friends and family, Formula 1, having Friday's off, desert adventures, and Arabic culture and people
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
Cultural fiesta
What: The Al Burda Festival
When: November 14 (from 10am)
Where: Warehouse421, Abu Dhabi
The Al Burda Festival is a celebration of Islamic art and culture, featuring talks, performances and exhibitions. Organised by the Ministry of Culture and Knowledge Development, this one-day event opens with a session on the future of Islamic art. With this in mind, it is followed by a number of workshops and “masterclass” sessions in everything from calligraphy and typography to geometry and the origins of Islamic design. There will also be discussions on subjects including ‘Who is the Audience for Islamic Art?’ and ‘New Markets for Islamic Design.’ A live performance from Kuwaiti guitarist Yousif Yaseen should be one of the highlights of the day.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Normcore explained
Something of a fashion anomaly, normcore is essentially a celebration of the unremarkable. The term was first popularised by an article in New York magazine in 2014 and has been dubbed “ugly”, “bland’ and "anti-style" by fashion writers. It’s hallmarks are comfort, a lack of pretentiousness and neutrality – it is a trend for those who would rather not stand out from the crowd. For the most part, the style is unisex, favouring loose silhouettes, thrift-shop threads, baseball caps and boyish trainers. It is important to note that normcore is not synonymous with cheapness or low quality; there are high-fashion brands, including Parisian label Vetements, that specialise in this style. Embraced by fashion-forward street-style stars around the globe, it’s uptake in the UAE has been relatively slow.
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 400hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh234,000 - Dh329,000
On sale: now
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
RESULTS
5pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: Samau Xmnsor, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Ottoman, Szczepan Mazur, Abdallah Al Hammadi
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Sharkh, Patrick Cosgrave, Helal Al Alawi
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 85,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner: Yaraa, Fernando Jara, Majed Al Jahouri
7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Maaly Al Reef, Bernardo Pinheiro, Abdallah Al Hammadi
7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Jinjal, Fabrice Veron, Ahmed Al Shemaili
8pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner: Al Sail, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
A cheaper choice
Vanuatu: $130,000
Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.
Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.
Benefits: No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.
Moral education needed in a 'rapidly changing world'
Moral education lessons for young people is needed in a rapidly changing world, the head of the programme said.
Alanood Al Kaabi, head of programmes at the Education Affairs Office of the Crown Price Court - Abu Dhabi, said: "The Crown Price Court is fully behind this initiative and have already seen the curriculum succeed in empowering young people and providing them with the necessary tools to succeed in building the future of the nation at all levels.
"Moral education touches on every aspect and subject that children engage in.
"It is not just limited to science or maths but it is involved in all subjects and it is helping children to adapt to integral moral practises.
"The moral education programme has been designed to develop children holistically in a world being rapidly transformed by technology and globalisation."
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NBA FINALS SO FAR
(Toronto lead 3-2 in best-of-seven series)
Game 1 Raptors 118 Warriors 109
Game 2 Raptors 104 Warriors 109
Game 3 Warriors 109 Raptors 123
Game 4 Warriors 92 Raptors 105
Game 5 Raptors 105 Warriors 106
Game 6 Thursday, at Oakland
Game 7 Sunday, at Toronto (if needed)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
