US Defense Firm Teams Up with UAE-Based Group to Manufacture Drones

Anduril, a US defense tech firm, has partnered with UAE-based EDGE Group to establish an organization called the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance. The alliance aims to manufacture drones for commercial applications, with orders already booked and plans for full rate production by 2028. According to Anduril’s Senior Vice President Shane Arnott, the partnership will enable the companies to ‘field modern systems quickly and at scale’ in the Middle East. EDGE Group has committed $200 million to manufacturing, while Anduril has invested an additional $850 million internally. The joint venture is expected to produce a mid-size tailsitter drone called Omen, which will be used for maritime patrol and special mission aircraft roles.