UMEX 2026: Edge awarded unmanned helicopter contracts

The Anavia HT-750 unmanned helicopter on the Edge stand at UMEX 2026 with the HT-100 behind. (Edge Group)

The Edge group announced on 22 January that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded it “globally significant” contracts for its unmanned aerial helicopters.

It said the contracts are for 92 HT-750s and 76 smaller HT-100s without saying how much they were worth or when deliveries will happen.

The company's press release dovetailed with earlier announcements made by Tawazun Council, which manages the UAE's military procurement and defence industry development, during the UMEX show held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 22 January.

On the first day of the show, it announced that Edge had been awarded a AED1.396 billion (USD380 million) contract for the procurement of HT-750s and on the second day it announced a AED661.194 million contract for HT-100, without specifying the numbers involved.

Both types were developed by Anavia, a Swiss company that Edge acquired 52% of in 2023. Designed primarily for reconnaissance and surveillance, the HT-100 uses a 15 kW turbine engine to power two intermeshing rotors. It is stated to have a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 120 kg with a 60 kg payload (including fuel) and an endurance of one hour when carrying 55 kg. Anavia says it is in service with multiple customers, none of which have been identified.

Unveiled at the IDEX show held in Abu Dhabi in February 2025, the HT-750 has a more conventional helicopter configuration with a main rotor and smaller tail rotor. It is stated to have an MTOW of 1,150 kg with 750 kg of payload/fuel and an endurance of four hours when carrying 500 kg.