United States-based high-tech defence company Anduril has entered into a joint venture with the United Arab Emirates’ state-owned defence conglomerate, EDGE Group, to design and produce AI-powered drones in the UAE. The collaboration marks a strengthening of long-standing defence ties between the two nations.
According to a joint statement released on Thursday, the two companies will develop the Omen drone at a new 50,000 square feet research centre in Abu Dhabi. The UAE has committed to acquiring the first 50 units, and a promotional image showed the drone bearing the insignia of the UAE Air Force.
The Omen is a lightweight, long-range, autonomous drone that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter while flying horizontally like an aircraft. This dual capability allows it to operate effectively in both conflict zones and disaster-hit regions.
“This is about disrupting current maritime patrol and special mission aircraft, much bigger systems. That is what we are going after,” said Anduril senior vice-president Shane Arnott during a media briefing.
The Omen is expected to be the first in a series of advanced products from the partnership, which builds upon decades of defence cooperation between the United States and the UAE. During President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi in May, both countries announced a new defence partnership focused on “joint capability development”.
Often referred to as “Little Sparta” by former US Defence Secretary James Mattis, the UAE has been involved in several international military operations, including in Afghanistan, Libya, and Yemen. The nation, which hosts the US Air Force at Al Dhafra base, established EDGE Group in 2019 to advance its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
EDGE is investing nearly 200 million dollars in the Omen project, while Anduril has already invested 850 million dollars in related technology and research. The drone, which can carry payloads such as torpedoes, is expected to enter production by the end of 2028.
As part of the collaboration, EDGE will also gain access to Anduril’s Lattice AI system. This advanced system enables multiple autonomous aircraft to coordinate and adapt in real time through a “3D command and control centre”, according to the statement.
Anduril’s founder, Palmer Luckey, known for creating the Oculus virtual reality headset, maintains close business ties with entrepreneur Peter Thiel. Thiel’s company, Palantir, recently announced an AI joint venture with the UAE’s Dubai Holding. Anduril’s ongoing contracts with the US government include deploying autonomous surveillance towers along the US-Mexico border, creating a virtual security network.
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