Indra and EDGE Group formalise joint venture, PULSE, to design and manufacture radars in Abu Dhabi

EDGE, one of the world’s leading advanced technology and defence groups, and Indra Sistemas (Indra), a world-leading information technology and defence systems company with a footprint in over 140 countries worldwide, and a significant player in major European programmes, have reached an agreement to establish a new joint venture, PULSE, headquartered in Abu Dhabi. PULSE aims to foster local capabilities for the development and manufacture of state-of-the-art radar systems, supported by a robust order pipeline from existing and potential customers in high-potential markets worldwide. The agreement consolidates and strengthens the partnership between the two companies which began in 2023.

Hamad Al Marar, EDGE’s Managing Director and CEO, and Indra´s CEO José Vicente de los Mozos were in Madrid to sign a Joint Venture Agreement, that includes the Shareholders’ Agreements, in the presence of Spain’s Minister for Defence, Margarita Robles Fernández; the Spanish Secretary of State for Defence, Amparo Valcarce; H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, EDGE Group’s Chairman; Marc Murtra, Indra’s Chairman, and officials from the Spanish Ministry for Defence, among other figures.

Speaking at the official signing ceremony at the Spanish Ministry for Defence in Madrid, H.E. Faisal Al Bannai, Chairman of EDGE, said: “The establishment of PULSE marks a transformative milestone in advancing the global defence landscape by delivering state-of- the-art radar systems. This joint venture between EDGE and Indra addresses critical capability gaps, showcasing the power of innovation and technology transfer to enhance operational excellence and global security. It reflects our dedication to building meaningful partnerships that drive progress and foster stability across key regions.”

Marc Murtra, Chairman of Indra, stated: "This agreement, in partnership with EDGE, will provide next-generation radar systems. It will include advanced research infrastructure, laboratories, and testing facilities, all based in the United Arab Emirates. This is an important step that will enable Indra to expand its global footprint and develop our valued relationship with EDGE."

The new company, named PULSE, will focus on engineering, developing, manufacturing, integrating, and maintaining existing and future radar systems and their components, as well as marketing them in high-potential markets, thus opening up numerous international business opportunities.

The agreement will allow the creation of two companies. The first will be 50.01% owned by Indra and 49.99% by EDGE, and will focus on the development, design, integration, sales and maintenance of state-of-the-art radars. The second one, 50.01% owned by EDGE, and 49.99% by Indra, will be responsible for the manufacturing of these radars in a new state-of- the-art factory located in Abu Dhabi.

The aim of the new joint venture is to increase radar production capacity and sales, provide the UAE with new radar capabilities through the transfer of knowledge and experience and train and develop skilled local professionals. The company is expected to initially employ highly specialised and experienced Indra professionals and Emirati employees who are both recent graduates and young professionals, as well as engineers, technical experts and commercial profiles.

It is also planned to strategically improve local research and development capabilities to pave the way for the evolution of next-generation radar technology through the establishment of advanced research infrastructures, enhanced laboratories and testing facilities, the acquisition of cutting-edge technologies, collaboration with leading experts, and the implementation of specialised training programmes for the research teams.

EDGE Group Managing Director & CEO, Hamad Al Marar, said: “PULSE is a testament to the power of collaboration, combining the expertise of EDGE and Indra to design, develop, and manufacture next-generation radar systems and export these to our key customers. By investing in advanced production facilities, we are positioning the UAE as a global hub for radar innovation, shaping the future of defence technology across air, land, and maritime domains. It also embodies our strategic vision to expand the UAE’s industrial capacity in advanced technologies and establish sovereign capabilities, driving self-reliance and innovation on a global scale."

José Vicente de los Mozos, CEO of Indra, explained: "In Abu Dhabi, we plan to create a new state-of-the-art factory with the most sophisticated technology, prepared to respond to the high anticipated demand for the most innovative radar systems in the coming years. The new entity we are going to create with EDGE will help us accelerate the transformation of the defence business towards a more international profile and mindset, as outlined in our Leading the Future strategic plan."

The new entity, PULSE, will also enjoy preferential rights over any current and future orders awarded to Indra or EDGE of radars based on the technology specified in the agreement. In addition, new opportunities will be generated in high-potential international markets, in keeping with the objective set out in Indra’s Leading the Future Strategic Plan.