Sirbai and MBDA have signed an MoU at Euronaval 2026 to evaluate integrating UAE-developed artificial intelligence into MBDA loitering munitions, combining expertise in autonomous systems and defense.
The agreement establishes a framework for evaluating how AI technologies developed in the UAE could enhance the platform’s capabilities, while supporting closer industrial and technological collaboration between the two companies.
The proposed collaboration will bring together MBDA’s expertise in defense systems and SIRBAI’s software-first approach to autonomous coordination and distributed intelligence. The initial phase will focus on feasibility assessments and defining the technical requirements for potential AI integration.
The initiative is expected to involve technical evaluation and demonstrations to assess the feasibility of integrating additional AI capabilities into the platform. Activities will be undertaken through a collaborative framework involving the relevant industrial and technology partners in the UAE.
Dr. Dario Albani, Chief Technology Officer of SIRBAI, said: “This collaboration represents an important step in bringing UAE-developed autonomy technologies into international defense programs. By combining our expertise in AI and coordinated autonomy with MBDA’s established capabilities, we aim to explore new opportunities for intelligent, adaptable systems.”
Patrice Hajjar, Group Vice President Middle-East & Africa of MBDA, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with SIRBAI and explore the integration of their AI capabilities in the Loitering Munition developed by MBDA in the UAE. SIRBAI offers mission-critical AI functions such as automatic target detection or swarming that can provide key operational added-value for the end-users”.
The collaboration builds on SIRBAI’s development of software-first autonomy technologies designed to enable multiple autonomous systems to operate toward shared objectives. Its approach combines distributed intelligence, platform integration, and human-supervised autonomy to support operations in complex environments.
The MoU also provides a basis for the parties to further define the project’s technical scope and pursue subsequent agreements, subject to the relevant approvals and contractual processes.
The announcement at Euronaval 2026 reflects growing opportunities for collaboration between UAE-developed advanced technologies and established European defense industry partners
