VTOL drones to boost ops in Abu Dhabi

Calidus Holding Group, Hameem Technologies and US-based Aergility have teamed up to develop and produce two unmanned VTOL drones in the UAE, designed mainly for logistics, supply delivery and long-range support missions. The aircraft, called ALRASID and ALTARESH, will be manufactured in Abu Dhabi and are built to move cargo, support remote operations and improve how supplies are delivered in challenging environments.

Dr. Khalifa Murad Alblooshi, Managing Director and CEO of Calidus Holding Group, commented, “This partnership reflects the Group’s leadership as a fully integrated defence and manufacturing company. By aligning strategic investment, local production, and breakthrough innovation, we are not only showcasing advanced platforms but also demonstrating our ability to deliver sovereign capabilities at scale, developed and manufactured in the UAE.”

The drones are designed to support both logistics and surveillance tasks using unmanned air transport. For supply chains, this means faster delivery of equipment, medical supplies and critical cargo to locations that are hard to reach by road or traditional aircraft. By removing the need for pilots and large ground infrastructure, the platforms aim to reduce costs and improve reliability.

ALTARESH is the larger model and can carry loads of up to 500 pounds over long distances, making it suitable for autonomous cargo transport and operational support. ALRASID is smaller and designed for monitoring and intelligence missions, helping operators maintain visibility while supporting logistics planning and coordination.

Both platforms can be adapted for different missions, including emergency response, disaster relief and critical resupply. Sensors, communications systems and autonomous technologies can be added based on operational needs. By producing these aircraft locally, the partnership strengthens the UAE’s aerospace and manufacturing base while supporting new logistics solutions that rely on unmanned and autonomous systems.