Germany and UAE seek defense and AI cooperation

Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are seeking to strengthen defense and artificial intelligence cooperation, specifically regarding drone defense and hybrid warfare capabilities.

In Germany, the Bundeswehr is assessing approximately 30 AI tools to automate defensive measures against potential attacks. Vice Admiral Thomas Daum, inspector of the Cyber and Information Domain Service, stated that the military aims to pilot battlefield AI tools starting next year, with a prototype expected by the second quarter of 2027. This initiative focuses on autonomous data collection across land, sea, and air to inform decision-making. Notable companies involved in this assessment include Hensoldt and Helsing, which are working on processing sensor data through specialized military AI models. This move follows a decision by the Bundeswehr to avoid US-developed tools like Palantir's Maven in favor of European data sovereignty.

Simultaneously, the UAE is looking to elevate its bilateral relationship with Germany to a new level. Ahead of a state visit by UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed to Berlin, advisor Anwar Gargasch emphasized the need for joint capabilities in drone defense, citing lessons learned from recent conflicts involving missile and drone strikes. The UAE is aggressively investing in AI technology and seeks to collaborate with Germany to address modern threats posed by hybrid warfare, which combines kinetic, cyber, and disinformation tactics.