Novamarine and Edge sign agreement for the production of autonomous naval drones
Agreement to explore the potential for the joint development of USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle) models
From Olbia to Paris, in the name of technology and innovation. This is the context for the Sardinian-French agreement on the production of autonomous naval drones in the professional segment. This is the subject of the agreement signed by Novamarine, an Olbia-based company listed on the Euronext Growth Milan market, which specialises in the design, manufacture and marketing of high-performance pleasure craft in both the leisure and professional sectors, and Edge Europe, the Paris-based European subsidiary of Edge Group, one of the leading groups operating in the advanced technology and defence sectors.
The agreement
Under the agreement, the company, based in Olbia – where it builds pleasure craft up to 30 metres in length in both the Pleasure and Professional segments – (high-performance vessels used for patrol and rescue operations), will be responsible for the production of USV platforms at its factory in Gallura, whilst Edge Group will handle the supply and integration of the on-board autonomous navigation systems, drawing on their respective expertise and the contributions of the Technology Innovation Institute.
An important step towards growth
“This agreement represents an important step on our path to growth through innovation and confirms our commitment to strengthening our presence in the professional segment,” emphasises Francesco Pirro, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Novamarine. “ “The partnership with Edge Group enables us to combine our expertise in the design and construction of high-performance vessels with advanced autonomous navigation technologies, creating a new generation of vessels capable of meeting increasingly complex operational requirements.”
The presentation
This was followed by the unveiling of the two USV models at Euronaval 2026, one of the leading international exhibitions dedicated to naval defence, which is taking place in Paris until 6 November. The launch marks the debut of the new range of unmanned naval drones, part of Novamarine’s professional segment and designed to carry out various types of operations, including search and rescue.Entirely designed and built in Olbia, ‘the USV range comprises vessels ranging in length from 5 to 26 metres’.
According to Khaled Al Zaabi, president of Edge’s Platforms & Systems division, the integration of Novamarine’s platforms with the Technology Innovation Institute’s expertise in autonomous navigation and ADSB’s expertise in systems integration will enable the exploration of ‘how autonomous surface vessels can carry out a wide range of missions at sea, whilst safeguarding the safety of personnel’. The refined drones will be on display at IDEX in Abu Dhabi (25–29 January 2027).
