Edge acquires Brazilian aerospace engineering firm, while Julphar wraps divestment of Oman retail pharmacy business

Edge expands its footprint in Brazil with another acquisition

Edge just took full ownership of a Brazilian aerospace shop with three decades on the clock. The UAE's state-owned defense group has agreed to buy 100% of Akaer, a São José dos Campos-based engineering firm that has logged more than 10 mn engineering hours on programs for Embraer, Saab, and Turkish Aerospace, among others, according to a statement. Akaer already works with Edge on unmanned-systems development — this acquisition locks in that supply chain and pushes Edge into optronics, infrared systems, and space-related tech, on top of its existing UAV work. It also gives it an engineering base in Brazil.

Edge has been busy: The firm already has a footprint in Latin America, with the acquisition of a 50% stake in Brazilian smart-weapons maker SIATT back in 2023. It also recently signed an agreement to acquire a controlling stake in Italian propulsion systems manufacturer CMD as part of its push to strengthen its foothold in the global defense supply chain, alongside setting up a European headquarters in Paris.

Julphar completes divestment of Oman retail pharmacy business

Emirati drugmaker Julphar completed the sale of Scientific Pharmacy’s pharmacy and distribution business in Oman to Al Batha Healthcare Group — the final piece of a divestment strategy to shed non-core assets and focus on specialty pharma in the MENA region, according to an Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange filing (pdf). The transaction received all required government and regulatory approvals, Julphar said in the filing, and follows a separate divestment of pharmacy businesses in the UAE that wrapped in June.