A US advanced weapons firm will create and manufacture AI-driven drones in the United Arab Emirates through a partnership, the two sides announced, enhancing strong defense relations.

America's Anduril and the UAE's government-owned defense group, EDGE, will collaborate on the development of the Omen drone at a new 50,000 square feet (4,645 square meters) research facility in Abu Dhabi, according to reports.

Officials announced that the UAE will obtain the initial 50 units. A promotional image displayed the Omen adorned with the insignia of the UAE air force.

The lightweight, long-range, self-flying drone ascends and descends like a helicopter and navigates like an airplane, enabling its launch from war zones and disaster sites.

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"This concerns... altering existing maritime surveillance, specialized mission aircraft, significantly larger systems." "That’s our goal," stated Shane Arnott, senior vice-president of Anduril, during a media call.

Omen aims to be the "first of many" offerings from the collaboration, which draws on years of US-UAE defense relationships, the announcement indicated.

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In May, during President Donald Trump's trip to Abu Dhabi, the US and UAE revealed plans for a new defense collaboration that would consist of "joint capability development."

The UAE, referred to as "Little Sparta" by former US Defense Secretary James Mattis, has sent its military to engage in conflicts in Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen.

 

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The oil-rich desert monarchy created EDGE in 2019 to advance a domestic defense industry and hosts the US air force at its Al Dhafra base.

EDGE is putting close to $200 million into Omen, whereas Anduril has already invested $850 million in associated technology and development.

The drone, designed to transport payloads like torpedoes, is anticipated to enter production by the close of 2028.
As part of the deal, EDGE gains access to Anduril's Lattice AI system, which allows multiple autonomous aircraft to coordinate and adapt in real time as a "3D command and control center", according to reports.