Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group has purchased a majority stake in Swiss vertical-takeoff-and-landing uncrewed air systems (UAS) developer Anavia.

Edge has taken a 52% majority shareholding in Nafels, Switzerland-based Anavia, in a move that Edge states will bolster its advanced autonomous aerial vehicle capabilities, an area on which the company is placing “a major focus.”

Anavia’s primary product is the HT-100 rotary-wing synchropter, which uses an intermeshing rotor system to avoid the need for an anti-torque system. The HT-100 has a maximum takeoff weight of 120 kg (265 lb.) but Edge states that Anavia is developing platforms weighing up to 750 kg.

The acquisition of Anavia comes weeks after Abu Dhabi-headquartered Edge announced it had acquired a 50% stake in Brazilian weapons company SIATT. In August the Emirati group also signed a strategic agreement with a Brazilian manufacturer of turbine engines, Turbomachine.

The move shows that Edge looks to set to be largely reliant on foreign expertise in the development of its products, but also reflects the United Arab Emirates’ push to boost national technology skills and self-sufficiency by developing a sovereign capability, and then export it to foreign markets.

"The acquisition of a majority share in Anavia is an important step in Edge’s strategy of bolstering its advanced autonomous aerial vehicle capabilities as it rapidly expands its portfolio of multi-domain systems and solutions and its global export footprint,” said Mansour AlMulla, managing director and CEO of Edge Group. 

“The deal will enable us to benefit from Anavia’s proven experience in the development of high quality and technologically advanced unmanned helicopters to complement our existing range of autonomous aerial systems, and its established supply chains, to become a market leader in this field,” AlMulla added.

He also noted that Anavia would be able to take advantage of Edge’s scale to support future innovation and development.

Jon Andri Jörg and Ishan Sahgal, the co-founders and co-CEOs of Anavia, said there was great potential in the relationship with Edge.

“It will enable us to collaborate on unmanned helicopter platforms, marking a significant milestone in autonomous aviation,” Sahgal said.

Edge, established in late 2019, is a holding company for the UAE’s defense companies and startups. Edge consolidated some 25 firms owned by Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG) and Tawazun Holding under a single umbrella organization.