Meed | Edge arm extends Airbus Atlantic contract

Edge arm extends Airbus Atlantic contract

13 December 2024

EPI, an entity of Abu Dhabi-based defence and military supplier Edge Group, has extended an agreement with Airbus Atlantic to manufacture class 1 flight-critical airframes for the A320 and A330 programmes.

The new contract, signed at Airbus' headquarters in Toulouse, France on 4 December, now extends to 2031.

EPI supplies precision engineering solutions for aerospace, defence and oil and gas sectors.

According to an official statement, the collaboration includes applying EPI’s latest technology utilising computer numerical control (CNC) machining with a maximum length of seven metres, in addition to special processes and paint procedures within EPI’s "fully automated, merit-approved" installation.

In-process and final inspections will be implemented to ensure manufacturing stability, using EPI’s 7m coordinate measuring machine (CMM).

The work package includes flight-critical airframe components, such as fuselage frames and floor beams, on the single-aisle A320 and A321 and the long-range A330 and A340 aircraft.

Over the next seven years, EPI will play a pivotal role in Airbus’ ramp-up efforts, specifically for the Single Aisle Programme, said Michael Deshaies, EPI chief executive.

He added that the project "supports the shared goals of EPI and Airbus Atlantic, bolsters the UAE aviation industry, generates value exchange, and fortifies local manufacturing capabilities through the Make It in the Emirates initiative.

In January, Edge Group announced its takeover of the local International Golden Group (IGG) in a strategic acquisition that furthers the consolidation of the defence sector in the emirate.

Also based in Abu Dhabi, IGG is a major supplier to the UAE Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, and other defence and security bodies in the UAE and has been active in building alliances and partnerships in the defence field both locally and internationally.

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Jennifer Aguinaldo