General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has entered into a strategic partnership with Calidus Aerospace to jointly produce MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and the Gambit Collaborative Combat Aircraft in the United Arab Emirates. The collaboration, formalized through a memorandum of understanding, supports the UAE’s ambition to expand indigenous aerospace manufacturing and advanced unmanned aircraft capabilities.
Under the agreement, GA-ASI and Calidus will cooperate across multiple phases of production, including airframe manufacturing, final assembly, system testing, flight acceptance, and command-and-control integration. The partnership also includes the involvement of GA-Intelligence, which will contribute expertise in battle management systems and operational software to enhance mission effectiveness and system interoperability.
The UAE agreement is part of GA-ASI’s broader strategy to strengthen its international industrial partnerships. Over the past year, the company has expanded collaboration efforts to support localized production, software development, and operational integration for allied and partner nations. These initiatives are aimed at improving responsiveness to regional requirements while reinforcing long-term sustainment and upgrade pathways.
Earlier, GA-ASI signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Qatar’s Barzan Holdings to develop advanced battle management software designed to enhance theater-level situational awareness and intelligence processing. Additional 2025 agreements include a long-term partnership with CAE to develop next-generation MQ-9B mission trainers and a joint effort with Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea to pursue development of the Gray Eagle Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) unmanned aircraft, underscoring GA-ASI’s expanding global footprint.
