DEFENSE-

State-owned defense firm Edge Group will invest USD 200 mn in a joint venture with US-based defense tech firm Anduril to develop and produce autonomous systems for civil and defense operations in the UAE for the Middle East and wider region as part of a new JV, according to a press release. The partnership marks the US’ firm entry into the Middle East.

The details: The first of the systems earmarked for co-development will be Omen, a hover-to-cruise drone designed for long-range operations and heavy payloads, and able to operate without a traditional runway, with production starting end-2028. The UAE will acquire 50 Omen units as part of the partnership, while Anduril will also establish a 50k sq ft research facility in the UAE for design, prototyping, and integration of autonomous systems.

TRANSPORT-

Didi Autonomous Driving joins Adio’s SAVI cluster: The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (Adio) partnered with Didi Autonomous Driving, the self-driving unit of China’s Didi Global, to advance autonomous mobility technologies in the emirate, according to Abu Dhabi Media Office. Didi will join Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries (SAVI) cluster, focusing on autonomous driving R&D, AI talent development, and pilot deployments in the UAE, with plans to expand into the wider Middle East.

REMEMBER- Abu Dhabi launched the SAVI cluster at Masdar City in 2023 to support the development of smart and autonomous technologies. The cluster has since onboarded firms including UK-based Gridserve and China’s EHang Holdings, and is expected to contribute AED 44 bn to GDP and create up to 40k jobs by 2045.

Also coming to SAVI: Austrian aerospace firm CycloTech will establish a wholly owned subsidiary in Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster, according to a press release. From its base in Masdar City, the company will work with regulators and industry partners to validate and commercialize its CycloRotor propulsion system, a compact rotor platform for urban and low-altitude aircraft, as Abu Dhabi expands its advanced air mobility ecosystem.

BUSINESS-

Dubai Chambers opened its first representative office in the US in New York, in a bid to deepen trade and investment ties between the two countries, according to a statement. The office will support US-based firms looking to set up operations in Dubai and Dubai-based firms looking to expand to the US. Dubai Chambers now has offices across all five continents, including the recent opening of an office in Warsaw, Poland.

INS.-

#1- RIQ, Masdar develop AI-driven reins. for clean energy projects: International Holding Co’s new reins. platform — Reins. Intelligent Quotient (RIQ) — and Masdar are co-developing AI-powered reins. solutions for global renewable energy projects, according to a post on LinkedIn. The partnership will explore integrated services such as risk management and analysis for projects related to clean energy, as well as transition assets.

#2- Shory receives Saudi regulatory approval to expand operations: Car ins. company Shory, a subsidiary of First.tech, secured regulatory approval from the Saudi Ins. Authority to operate in the Kingdom, according to a press release. The license allows Shory to roll out its AI-powered digital ins. solutions in Saudi Arabia.

ICYMI- Shory recently launched an AI-powered vehicle ins. renewal service available through Tamm 4.0, allowing residents to renew their car ins., request inspections, or complete their car registration entirely online.

REAL ESTATE-

DamacProperties launched its island-inspired residential community Damac Islands 2 — its seventh major master community in Dubai, with an estimated cost of AED 20 bn (USD 5.5 bn), Managing Director Amira Sajwani told Al Khaleej. Damac Islands 2 will feature six-bedroom villas of around 583 sqm, five-bedroom twin villas spanning around 324 sqm, and four and five-bedroom townhouses ranging from 203-293 sqm.

“Local economic growth and population expansion are putting pressure on supply, which has yet to match the accelerating pace of demand,” Sajwani said, adding that Damac holds roughly 5% of Dubai’s luxury housing market in certain price segments.

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