UAE invests in drones for logistics, defence

EDGE has secured an order to supply 168 advanced unmanned helicopters to the UAE Ministry of Defence, marking one of the largest deals of its kind for autonomous aerial systems. The order covers two models produced by ANAVIA, an EDGE company based in Switzerland. Under the agreement, ANAVIA will deliver 76 HT-100 unmanned helicopters and 92 larger HT-750 platforms. Production and delivery will take place over the coming period. 

A key part of the deal is the HT-750, which is designed mainly for logistics work. The unmanned helicopter can carry heavy payloads over long distances while maintaining stable flight in difficult conditions. It is intended to support supply missions where manned aircraft may face higher risk or operational limits. This includes moving equipment, supplies, and other cargo without putting crews in the air. 

The smaller HT-100 is built for surveillance and data collection. It can operate day and night and fly in rough weather and challenging terrain. Together, the two systems allow missions to be split between intelligence tasks and logistics support. 

The contracts were announced during UMEX and SimTEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi. The deal reflects a wider shift toward unmanned systems for both security and logistics roles, as defence forces look for more flexible and cost-efficient ways to move goods and gather information.