A major new defense collaboration has emerged as UAE’s EDGE Group and US-based Anduril Industries form a joint venture to develop and manufacture cutting-edge autonomous aerial systems. Known as the EDGE–Anduril Production Alliance, the partnership will focus initially on the Omen hover-to-cruise Autonomous Air Vehicle, a next-generation drone designed for long-range missions, high-endurance operations, and flexible deployment without infrastructure constraints.
The UAE government has already placed an initial procurement order of 50 Omen drones, ensuring a strong domestic production pipeline from the outset. This foundational order will boost local manufacturing ecosystems and allow the alliance to scale supply chains capable of supporting high-volume output. The Omen’s dual-purpose design makes it suitable for military missions as well as civilian operations such as remote logistics support, emergency response, and temporary communications networks.
The partnership blends Anduril’s expertise in autonomous software and AI-driven mission systems, including the Lattice Mission Autonomy platform, with EDGE’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and regional knowledge. The alliance aims to compress traditional development timelines, with design, testing, and integration all progressing toward full-rate production by the end of 2028. Both companies emphasized that the project will follow US and UAE regulatory frameworks governing defense technology and export compliance.
This venture reflects the broader trajectory of US-UAE defense cooperation, which includes several decades of high-end acquisitions and joint programs. The UAE operates American platforms such as the F-35, MQ-9 Reaper, and a range of precision-guided weapons. In addition, long-standing industrial ties with Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have enabled the co-production of radar technologies, missile-defense systems, and electronic-warfare components. Collaborative work on autonomous platforms and joint military exercises further strengthen the integration of US technologies into UAE regional operations.
