Source:EDGE Group
The agreement is the largest naval shipbuilding export in the region. Edge Group from Abu Dhabi has signed a major defence deal with the Ministry of Defence of Kuwait. The deal is a $2.45 billion (AED 9 billion) contract for the supply of advanced missile boats. The contract is the region’s largest naval shipbuilding export deal, and it is also one of the largest naval export contracts in the world.
EDGE is one of the world’s leading defence and technology companies. As part of the agreement, it will also lead the entire cycle of manufacturing and delivering FALAJ 3-class missile boats of 62-meter length to Kuwait. The agreement includes everything from design, construction, sea trials, and the acceptance of delivery of the vessels. The agreement will also include logistics support, maintenance, and supply of munitions.
Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), which is a subsidiary of EDGE Group and one of the largest shipbuilders in the UAE, will construct the vessels. ADSB has been involved in construction of complex naval platforms and will be an important contributor to this large-scale project.
Hamad Al Marar, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE, said “This agreement with Kuwait is hugely significant both in scale and strategic importance. It deepens long-term defence ties between our nations, brings a proven class of advanced vessels into regional service, and reinforces EDGE’s position as a trusted international partner. It also reflects the pace of industrial and engineering progress we’ve achieved in just a few years, and our ability to design, build, and deliver complex naval platforms at scale. As we enter a new phase of export-led growth, this programme marks a clear signal of global confidence in what EDGE can deliver.”
The FALAJ 3-class missile boats have already been adopted by the UAE Navy. The ALTAF was the first ship delivered and was commissioned in February 2025. Its successful deployment demonstrates strong performance and capability in regional waters
The boats are designed and developed to meet Kuwait’s naval defense requirements and are equipped with the latest combat systems with expected performance in coastal or littoral waters. The ships are designed to enhance Kuwait’s naval capabilities and facilitate protection of the country’s maritime borders
The contract bolsters EDGE’s status as a global defence supplier as well as supporting the UAE’s goal of increasing defence exports and creating defence industry ties with other nations. The contract demonstrates that EDGE is able to provide whole defence solutions, from building ships to sustainment of those ships.
The contract is also an example of growing defence and technological cooperation between the UAE and Kuwait and will lead to other defence related agreements in the future. This is especially true as nations in the region look to not only grow their military capacity, but also to develop ties with home-grown and trusted partners like EDGE.
