EDGE and Fincantieri Sign MoU to Strengthen Cooperation in Underwater Technology

EDGE and Fincantieri have recently signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) to enhance their collaboration through the joint venture Maestral. The focus of this partnership will be on the design, development, and creation of unmanned systems for critical underwater infrastructure protection, seabed mapping, next-generation submarines, drone-carrier ships, and lightweight torpedoes.

The MoU aims to leverage the expertise of both companies to develop cutting-edge underwater technologies, supporting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in becoming a leader in underwater technology innovation. This collaboration comes at a crucial time when the global landscape for national defense is rapidly evolving, with new threats and vulnerabilities necessitating advanced technological solutions for maritime defense.

With critical underwater infrastructure increasingly becoming a target for threats, the need for governments to invest in advanced technological solutions to protect these assets has never been more pressing. The partnership between EDGE and Fincantieri through Maestral will enable the sharing of knowledge, technical expertise, and production resources to develop state-of-the-art products tailored for the complex underwater environment.

Driving Innovation in Subsea Security

Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director & CEO of EDGE Group, expressed the significance of the partnership in advancing world-class underwater capabilities that will play a pivotal role in subsea security and maritime defense. He emphasized the importance of positioning the UAE as a regional pioneer with globally competitive expertise in the underwater domain.

Pierroberto Folgiero, Fincantieri CEO and Managing Director, highlighted the projected growth of the underwater technology sector, which is expected to reach $400 billion by 2030. He reiterated Fincantieri’s commitment to supporting the UAE’s naval strategy and delivering groundbreaking underwater solutions in collaboration with EDGE.

As underwater technologies continue to play a critical role in national security, the partnership between EDGE and Fincantieri through Maestral is poised to drive innovation, enhance sovereign capabilities, and set new industry standards in this high-potential sector.

With a focus on meeting the future needs of national capabilities and supporting the UAE’s ambitious naval strategy, the collaboration between EDGE and Fincantieri signals a significant step towards advancing underwater technology and strengthening maritime defense capabilities.