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Abu Dhabi's SIRBAI and MBDA to Study AI for Loitering Munition Built in the UAE

A memorandum signed at Euronaval in Paris will test whether the start-up's target detection and swarming software can be added to MBDA's UAE-developed loitering munition.

By Nakoda News Desk

·1 min read

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SIRBAI, an Abu Dhabi company that builds autonomy and swarm-intelligence software, has signed a memorandum of understanding with European missile maker MBDA. Under it, the two will assess adding SIRBAI's artificial intelligence to a loitering munition that MBDA is developing in the UAE. The companies announced the agreement in a press release after signing it at the Euronaval naval defence exhibition in Paris.

The memorandum is exploratory, not a supply contract. It sets up a framework for judging whether AI developed in the UAE can improve MBDA's loitering munition platform, the companies said. Loitering munitions are drones that can circle over an area before striking a target. The first phase covers feasibility studies and setting technical requirements, which could lead to technical evaluations and demonstrations. Any further agreements will depend on approvals and contracts, according to the release. No value or timeline was disclosed.

The agreement links a UAE AI developer to one of Europe's largest weapons makers. It also supports the UAE's effort to develop defence technology at home rather than only buying it from abroad. Patrice Hajjar, MBDA's group vice president for the Middle East and Africa, said SIRBAI offers "mission-critical AI functions such as automatic target detection or swarming". Dr. Dario Albani, SIRBAI's chief technology officer, called the agreement an important step in bringing UAE-developed autonomy technology into international defence programmes.

SIRBAI says its software coordinates multiple autonomous systems while keeping human operators in command, and that its technology is based on research from Abu Dhabi's Technology Innovation Institute. It works on defence, security and maritime applications.

The loitering munition comes from an earlier MBDA programme in the UAE. In November 2025, at the Dubai Airshow, MBDA and the Tawazun Council, which oversees the UAE's defence procurement, announced plans to develop AI-enabled loitering munitions in the country, working with the French start-up Fly-R.

The next milestone under the memorandum is the feasibility work. Any move to evaluations, demonstrations or a binding contract will need separate approval.

Sources

  • Zawya · SIRBAI and MBDA to explore AI integration for next-generation autonomous defense systems
  • Defensehere · MBDA and SIRBAI sign agreement on AI-enabled munitions
  • The Defense Post · MBDA Backs UAE Defense Localization Push With Strategic Projects

Produced with AI assistance from the sources above. How we work

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