MBDA and Fly-R launches co-development contract for the diamond-shaped loitering munition in the United Arab Emirates
During Eurosatory 2026, MBDA and Fly-R signed a contract to conduct the rapid development of a unique diamond-shaped loitering munition in the UAE. This contract follows agreements signed at Dubai Airshow 2025 between MBDA and Tawazun Council to establish strategic projects supporting localization of defence technology in the UAE, reflecting thereby MBDA’s strategy to establish deep-rooted defence activity in the UAE.
The contract consists in developing, qualifying and preparing the mass-production of the loitering munition in the UAE through the newly-established MBDA Landed Company. The program will benefit from MBDA and Fly-R transfer of know-how and technology and leverage the local supply chain and defence ecosystem to accelerate innovation and reduce cost.
As part of the development, the dedicated joint team established in the UAE within MBDA Landed Company will involve Emirati engineers and technicians and will be supported by the Missile Engineering Centre (MEC), a bedrock for joint development established by MBDA in Abu Dhabi in 2023 to develop Smart Weapons family.
Designed to be remotely-controlled for precision strikes on critical targets, the diamond-shaped loitering munition provides outstanding performance such as high speed and extreme maneuverability, enabling a wide spectrum of missions.
Tube-launched, light and compact, rapidly deployable and easy to operate, it provides up to 60 minutes of endurance for day and night reconnaissance and strike capability and can be either man-portable or fitted on various platforms (vehicles, surface vessels, air platforms).
Embedded advanced artificial intelligence (AI) functions and powerful lethal payload will provide with breakthrough capability ensuring operational advantage on the modern battlefield. Fixed or mobile targets on the ground or at sea – such as armored vehicles, infrastructure, fast inshore attack crafts, unmanned surface vehicles – can be engaged at distances up to 50 km.
MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems, playing a key role in keeping nations safe. Created in the spirit of international co-operation, MBDA and its 18,000+ employees work together to support the national sovereignty of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and their allies worldwide. As an accelerator for innovation, MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing complex weapons to meet the full range of current and future operational requirements of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%) jointly own MBDA.
