In a significant leap for defence technology, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States have announced a groundbreaking collaboration to develop AI-powered autonomous drones. The partnership involves American high-tech arms developer Anduril Industries and Abu Dhabi’s EDGE Group, marking a pivotal moment in the UAE’s quest to enhance its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence into aerial warfare systems. The joint venture will focus on designing and producing a new generation of combat-ready drones, named Omen, at a state-of-the-art 50,000-square-foot research and development centre in Abu Dhabi. The UAE is set to acquire the first 50 units, underscoring the government’s commitment to fostering home-grown advanced defence technologies. The Omen drone, characterized by its sleek and lightweight design, combines the vertical take-off capabilities of a helicopter with the range and speed of an airplane, making it ideal for deployment in diverse terrains, including maritime patrols, border security, and disaster relief. Shane Arnott, Anduril’s senior vice-president, emphasized that the project aims to disrupt traditional maritime patrol and special mission aircraft systems. Under the agreement, EDGE gains access to Anduril’s Lattice AI operating system, an advanced software platform enabling real-time coordination of multiple autonomous aircraft through a 3D command-and-control network. This AI-driven architecture is expected to provide militaries with unparalleled situational awareness and coordination, potentially revolutionizing air combat strategies. The Omen project is the first of several systems anticipated to emerge from this partnership, with EDGE investing nearly $200 million and Anduril committing $850 million in prior technology development. Production is slated to begin by 2028, with prototypes set for testing in the UAE next year. This collaboration builds on the US-UAE defence partnership announced during President Donald Trump’s visit to Abu Dhabi in May, which aims to promote joint capability development between the two allies. Since the launch of EDGE in 2019, the UAE has been steadily advancing its defence industry, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and boosting exports of advanced military technology. For Anduril, founded by tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, this venture reflects growing confidence in the UAE’s defence ecosystem. For Abu Dhabi, it solidifies its position as a regional innovation hub for next-generation autonomous systems, where artificial intelligence and air power converge to shape the future of warfare.