ABU DHABI, UAE, — UAE-based defence conglomerate EDGE Group has achieved full-rate production at its subsidiary LAHAB’s automated 40x53mm grenade ammunition manufacturing line, which has an annual production capacity of up to 1.5 million rounds.
Automated Production Line
The line began operating at the end of 2025 and assembles sub-components into finished, belted rounds without manual intervention. The manufacturing process consists of three modules: cartridge case assembly and filling, projectile filling and assembly, and final assembly and belting.
LAHAB Chief Executive Officer Mohammed Arbabi said advanced automation had reduced manual labour requirements by nearly 60%, improving efficiency, increasing annual output and providing a scalable foundation for 40mm grenade manufacturing.
The facility follows Industry 4.0 standards, monitoring operations and recording production data across all three modules. Its real-time digital dashboard displays throughput, module performance and overall production status, allowing operators to identify and correct deviations while production continues.
EDGE Expands Smart Manufacturing
The upgrade is part of EDGE’s wider smart-manufacturing programme, coordinated by BRIDGE, the group’s function for innovation, operational excellence and industrialisation. In 2025, EDGE completed more than 68 Industry 4.0 transformation projects across 28 production facilities and doubled manufacturing capacity at 13 of its entities.
Other EDGE companies have also introduced automation. HALCON’s upgraded DESERT STING 16 guided-glide weapon assembly line uses 11 industrial robots, more than 300 sensors and six machine-vision stations, alongside automated material handling and inspection. The upgrade increased production volume by 130% and reduced labour content by 23%.
CARACAL, EDGE’s firearms and small-calibre ammunition manufacturer, introduced an automated storage and retrieval system that increased storage density by approximately 80% and made storage and retrieval operations three times faster, eliminating the need for a new warehouse.
Strengthening Defence Manufacturing
LAHAB, HALCON and CARACAL form part of EDGE’s integrated defence manufacturing network in the UAE. EDGE is working to extend its smart-manufacturing model to partner nations seeking to develop their own sovereign defence industrial bases.
LAHAB develops, produces and tests medium- and large-calibre munitions designed to meet US-MIL SPEC, NATO and CIP standards. Its portfolio includes 40x53mm ammunition and other grenade, mortar and artillery products. The new line strengthens LAHAB’s 40mm ammunition production capacity while supporting EDGE’s broader move towards higher-volume, data-driven manufacturing.
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