UAE’s EDGE Group and Spain’s Indra Group have joined forces to establish a new defense manufacturing hub in Spain, focused on loitering munitions and smart weapons. The collaboration aims to strengthen European sovereign defense capabilities while addressing rising demand for advanced weapons systems across the continent.
The new facility, to be located in León, will leverage EDGE’s expertise in cutting-edge defense technologies and Indra’s well-established industrial network. Indra is investing between €15 million and €20 million ($17.4–$23 million) to develop drone and loitering munition production capacity, enabling modular manufacturing of next-generation aerial and guided systems. This initiative also aligns with Europe’s strategic push to secure domestic production of critical defense technologies and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
EDGE’s expansion into Europe reflects a broader international growth strategy. In 2023, EDGE acquired a majority stake in Milrem Robotics in Estonia, specializing in robotics and autonomous systems, marking a significant European industrial entry. That same year, EDGE secured a 50 percent stake in Brazilian smart weapons developer SIATT, launching new R&D and production facilities to support missile and coastal surveillance systems, creating hundreds of local jobs.
The UAE defense group has also strengthened its European presence by acquiring unmanned aerial systems (UAS) manufacturer ANAVIA in Switzerland, establishing a headquarters and drone prototyping center in Bilten. Through these moves, EDGE demonstrates its commitment to co-development, technology transfer, and localized production, reinforcing Europe’s advanced weapons industrial base and expanding its global defense footprint.
