Strategic cooperation: MBDA and SIRBAI leverage AI for remote-controlled munitions
MBDA and UAE-based SIRBAI signed a strategic memorandum of understanding at EURONAVAL on Tuesday, 3 November, to study integrating AI into a remote-controlled munition being developed by MBDA in the UAE with FLY-R. Supported by the Tawazun Council, the two-year project will assess automatic target recognition, swarm flight and the onboard hardware needed for these capabilities. The work will be carried out by a joint MBDA France, SIRBAI and FLY-R team within MBDA Emarat in Abu Dhabi, with the partners aiming to formalise their structural partnership by 2027.
MBDA a společnost SIRBAI podepsaly memorandum o spolupráci na studiích integrace umělé inteligence do dálkově ovládané munice vyvíjené ve Spojených arabských emirátech. Projekt se zaměří na automatické rozpoznávání cílů a rojové létání a má trvat dva roky.
MBDA and the UAE-based company SIRBAI signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at EURONAVAL on Tuesday 3 November. This collaboration aims to conduct feasibility studies to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities into a remote-controlled munition being developed by MBDA in the United Arab Emirates.
© Jérémy LEMPIN / MBDAThis partnership marks a major milestone for naval, land, and airborne innovation. Through this MoU, the partners will collaborate on technologies for a remote-controlled munition being developed in the UAE in partnership with FLY-R. This unique and innovative munition, which is defined by its rhomboid shape, is designed to provide maximum operational flexibility.
AI for tactical superiority
Supported by the Tawazun Council, the project aims to evaluate and demonstrate, within a two-year timescale, how the integration of AI can enhance the capabilities of this remote-controlled munition.
It will focus on two major technological pillars: Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) and swarm flight. The study will also cover the integration of the hardware required to support these onboard AI functions.
A strong commitment based on the UAE industrial ecosystem
The project is more than just a technical collaboration though – it is also part of a local industrial development strategy. It will be conducted within the MBDA Emarat structure in Abu Dhabi, where a joint MBDA France, SIRBAI, and FLY-R team will be working together.
This cooperation model, endorsed by the Tawazun Council, underscores MBDA's commitment to building a robust and innovative industrial ecosystem in the United Arab Emirates by leveraging leading local partners such as SIRBAI.
Horizon 2027: toward a new era of naval combat
This MoU reflects the shared commitment of MBDA and SIRBAI to strengthen their industrial cooperation. In a spirit of sustainable co-innovation, both partners are committed to refining the scope of execution and the project development plan to formalise their structural partnership by 2027.
Ultimately, the integration of AI into remote-controlled munitions marks a shift towards smarter, more responsive systems, ensuring a decisive tactical advantage on the battlefields of tomorrow.
https://www.mbda-systems.com/strategic-cooperation-mbda-sirbai-leverage-ai-remote-controlled-munitions
