The Unmanned Systems Exhibition (UMEX) in Abu Dhabi saw significant growth with EDGE Group leading the way in announcements. The company secured over $200 million in new deals for its Scorpio small UAV and other projects.
SCOPA Defense Industries, a Saudi Arabian firm, has relaunched its brand and set up a professional ERP system to cater to defense and security industries. The company aims to become one of the largest privately owned defense firms in the region by 2035.
SAMI has announced a transformation into a strategic group, launching two new entities: SAMI Land Company and SAMI Autonomous Systems. The new land entity will focus on producing vehicles for the land forces, while the autonomous systems company will develop capabilities across all platforms.
Safran.AI and the UAE's Technology Innovation Institute have announced a strategic partnership to develop next-generation agentic AI for geospatial intelligence. The collaboration combines Safran.
After two years of combat operations in Gaza, a senior Israeli official recounted the technological leaps in ground combat, calling it the 'first robotics war.' Yaron Sarig, Head of the Israel Ministry of Defense's AI and Autonomy program, spoke about the development of ground robotics and its potential to work alongside armored vehicles. The IDF is pushing robotics further with a new program focused on force build-up efforts to improve operational gain.
Germany's Helsing and HENSOLDT are collaborating on an autonomous systems project for Euro CCA, with a focus on AI-enabled combat air systems. The CA-1 aircraft will be upgraded with the AI agent Centaur, while HENSOLDT will provide sensor technologies.
Embraer-X, the innovation division of Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer, showcased its forward-thinking approach at the Future Aero Festival in Amsterdam. Led by CEO Daniel Moczydlower, the autonomous division focuses on six key research areas including sustainability, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, and artificial intelligence.
The British Army has partnered with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering to launch a new drone degree, starting in September 2026. The three-year course will train 15 civilian students and up to five soldiers each year as drone technology specialists.
Defense companies EDGE Group and Anduril Industries have announced plans to combine their knowledge and expertise to build a series of next generation autonomous systems, including Autonomous Air Vehicle (AAV). On November 13, 2025, Abu Dhabi-based EDGE and US-owned Anduril unveiled the EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance.