Fincantieri teams with Edge to sell to non-NATO countries

ROME — Italy’s Fincantieri and Emirati defense conglomerate Edge Group have agreed to create an Abu Dhabi-based joint venture to build and sell naval vessels to non-NATO countries, the firms said Tuesday.

The joint venture, of which Edge will own 51% but Fincantieri will manage, is meant to take advantage of the United Arab Emirates’ credit financing options and relations with other states.

The venture “will be awarded prime rights to non-NATO orders, especially leveraging on the attractiveness of UAE [government-to-government] arrangements and export credit financing packages, along with a number of strategic orders placed by select NATO member countries,” the firms said.

State-controlled Fincantieri is Italy’s main naval contractor and is also building FREMM frigates for the U.S. Navy at its American shipyard.

Founded in 2019, Edge is an advanced technology group that comprises more than 25 subsidiaries and employs thousands of people.

In a statement, the firms said they would develop “joint intellectual property” and “significantly” enhance Edge’s ability to “design and build frigates and other large vessels, broadening its range of operations and marking a crucial advancement in the diversification of its maritime solutions portfolio.”

The statement noted the joint venture “will set up a dedicated design authority, opening up opportunities for highly skilled Emiratis, and drawing in international expertise to support this innovative and strategic initiative.”

The firms added they aim to co-develop midsize submarines.

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

罗马——意大利芬坎蒂尼集团和阿联酋国防集团Edge Group周二表示，双方已同意在阿布扎比成立一家合资企业，为非北约国家建造和出售海军舰艇。

该合资企业由 Edge 持有 51% 的股份，Fincantieri 负责管理，旨在利用阿联酋的信贷融资选择以及与其他国家的关系。

这些公司表示，该合资企业“将获得非北约订单的优先权，尤其会利用阿联酋（政府间）安排和出口信贷融资方案的吸引力，以及一些北约成员国下达的战略订单”。

意大利国有控股的芬坎蒂尼集团是意大利主要的造船承包商，并且还在其美国造船厂为美国海军建造FREMM护卫舰。

Edge成立于2019年，是一家拥有25家以上子公司、雇佣数千名员工的先进技术集团。

两家公司在一份声明中表示，他们将开发“联合知识产权”，并“显著”增强 Edge 设计和建造护卫舰及其他大型船舶的能力，从而扩大其业务范围，并标志着其海事解决方案组合多元化方面取得关键性进展。

声明指出，该合资企业“将设立专门的设计机构，为高技能的阿联酋人创造机会，并引入国际专业知识来支持这项创新和战略举措。”

两家公司还表示，他们的目标是合作开发中型潜艇。

汤姆·金顿是《防务新闻》驻意大利记者。