EDGE Secures Groundbreaking Contract with Airbus Defence and Space for Revolutionary C295 Cargo Tank Solutions
EDGE entity EPI, the foundation of precision engineering in the UAE’s aerospace, oil & gas, and defense sectors, has finalized a serial production agreement for C295 Cargo Compartment Removable Tanks with Airbus Defence and Space, a subsidiary of Airbus Group, Europe’s leading defense and space organization, and the second largest globally with initiatives that encompass space, military aviation, and associated systems and services.
According to the arrangement, both companies will collaborate exclusively on the serial production of C295 Cargo Compartment Removable Tanks over a five-year timeframe, capitalizing on the achievements of the prototyping stage, which encompassed 12 specialized process certifications for aerospace assembly operations. The contract includes the integration of 300 manufactured components, 16,000 fasteners, center of gravity assessments, and leak evaluations. It aids EPI’s progression toward assembling recognizable subsystems for an aircraft framework. The agreement, in line with the vision of ‘Make It in the Emirates,’ underscores EDGE’s dedication to promoting Industry 4.0 methodologies, propelling economic advancement, and enhancing technological supremacy both locally and globally. It also encourages substantial knowledge exchange and synergy between the two organizations.
The contract was executed by Michael Deshaies, CEO of EPI, and Anna Jacobs, Head of Assemblies and Materials Commodity at Airbus Defence and Space, in the presence of Hamad Al Marar, Managing Director and CEO of EDGE Group, and Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space.
Reflecting on the alliance, Michael Deshaies, CEO of EPI, stated: “Our collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space to manufacture CCRT exemplifies our dedication to excellence and innovation. A crucial aspect of EPI’s strategy is to broaden our portfolio by diversifying operations and forging dynamic local and international alliances with key players in the industry, which we can utilize to enhance our supply chains, competencies, and expertise. This partnership aligns with EDGE’s ongoing initiative to localize cutting-edge technology and industrial capabilities, bolstering the UAE’s status as a competitive industrial hub across various sectors.”
Jean Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space, remarked: “This strategic collaboration with EPI on the C295 solidifies our commitment to the UAE’s aerospace industry, closely aligning with the nation’s long-term vision for economic diversification and innovation. Through this pact, Airbus is devoted to augmenting the UAE’s industrial and defense environment while investing in future cooperative projects, including the strategic transport airlifter.”
The CCRT tank, jointly developed by Airbus and EPI, is engineered for flexible uses, including Ground Refueling (GR) operations, Extended Range (ER) missions, and Air-to-Air Refueling (AAR) operations. This partnership highlights Airbus’s commitment to enhancing the defense and aviation sectors while fortifying the capabilities of local industries within the nation. Building on this foundation, Airbus believes that the UAE Aerospace Industry, particularly EDGE, possesses promising prospects for ongoing collaboration and extending its involvement in the industrial framework for the forthcoming A400M for the UAE.
The signing ceremony was conducted at the EPI facility during the celebratory event for the delivery of a finished C295 Cargo Compartment Removable Tank at the Tawazun Industrial Park.
