UAE state-owned EDGE Group and US-based Anduril have formed a new partnership to co-develop and produce next-generation autonomous systems in a major regional defense collaboration.
The joint venture, called the EDGE–Anduril Production Alliance, will focus on designing, manufacturing, and supporting autonomous aerial platforms, beginning with the Omen hover-to-cruise Autonomous Air Vehicle.
The UAE has already committed to purchasing 50 Omen units, establishing a production foundation that will strengthen local supply chains and accelerate large-scale domestic manufacturing.
The Omen is engineered for dual-use missions, offering long-range capability, heavy payload capacity, and flexible runway-independent deployment.
Anduril will contribute its software-first expertise, including its Lattice Mission Autonomy platform, while EDGE provides regional manufacturing capability and on-the-ground industrial infrastructure.
This combined approach aims for rapid development, moving from design to full-rate production by 2028, while ensuring compliance with both US and UAE regulations.
In addition to defense roles, the Omen will support commercial and humanitarian missions—from disaster relief and remote logistics deliveries to mobile communications deployment.
The joint venture builds on a history of UAE–US defense cooperation.
Abu Dhabi has previously acquired F-35 fighters, MQ-9 Reaper drones, and advanced precision-guided weapons such as JDAM kits and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.
Collaborations with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have enabled co-production of radar systems, missile-defense components, and electronic warfare technologies.
The UAE has also partnered with American companies on autonomous platforms and taken part in joint exercises to integrate US combat systems across regional operations.
