What did Hanwha Group and Edge Group discuss in Abu Dhabi during IDEX 2025?

The two sides explored strategic cooperation in defense, aerospace and maritime industries. They also discussed expanding local production, operational capabilities and collaboration on unmanned systems development.

Who represented Hanwha Group and Edge Group at the IDEX 2025 meeting?

Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, met with Faisal Al Bannai, CEO of Edge Group. The meeting was held on Monday local time in Abu Dhabi.

What kind of unmanned systems cooperation did Hanwha propose to Edge Group?

Hanwha proposed joint projects in unmanned systems and cooperation on unmanned air defense systems. The goal was to help enhance protection of critical national infrastructure in the UAE.

Hanwha Group discusses defense, maritime cooperation with UAE's Edge Group

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Summary

Hanwha Group discussed strategic cooperation with UAE-based Edge Group in Abu Dhabi during IDEX 2025, focusing on defense, aerospace and maritime industries. Kim Dong-kwan met Faisal Al Bannai on Monday local time to explore local production, operational capabilities and unmanned systems development. Hanwha also proposed cooperation on unmanned air defense systems to protect critical national infrastructure in the UAE.

Key Facts

The meeting took place on the sidelines of IDEX 2025, the Middle East’s largest defense exhibition, in Abu Dhabi.
Edge Group is a state-owned UAE defense and technology conglomerate with operations in defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and naval defense.
Edge Group was established with the participation of more than 20 public and private companies.
Hanwha said Edge has become a leader in unmanned weapons after its 2023 acquisition of Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics.

Published Feb 18, 2025 11:20 am KST
Updated Feb 18, 2025 2:43 pm KST

Kim Dong-kwan, right, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, poses with Faisal Al Bannai, CEO of Edge Group, on the sidelines of IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi, in this photo provided by Hanwha Aerospace, Arab Emirates, Feb. 17. Yonhap

Korea's Hanwha Group has held discussions with Edge Group, a defense conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to explore strategic cooperation in defense, aerospace and maritime industries, according to the group's defense arm Tuesday.

Kim Dong-kwan, vice chairman of Hanwha Group, met with Faisal Al Bannai, CEO of Edge Group, on the sidelines of IDEX 2025, the Middle East's largest defense exhibition, on Monday (local time) in Abu Dhabi, according to Hanwha Aerospace.

During the meeting, the two sides explored ways to expand local production and operational capabilities in the defense sector, as well as collaboration on unmanned systems development.

Edge, a state-owned UAE defense and technology conglomerate, was established with the participation of over 20 public and private companies. It operates in defense, aerospace, cybersecurity and naval defense.

Hanwha discussed potential joint projects with Edge in the unmanned systems sector. Edge has emerged as a leader in the unmanned weapons field, following its 2023 acquisition of Estonian defense company Milrem Robotics.

The Korean conglomerate also proposed cooperation on unmanned air defense systems to enhance protection of critical national infrastructure in the UAE, according to Hanwha Aerospace. (Yonhap)

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