Anavia wins HT-750 uncrewed helicopter contract from UAE MoD

Swiss company Anavia, which is part of the EDGE Group, has received a contract for 168 of its uncrewed helicopters from the UAE’s Ministry of Defence, according to a January 22 press release. The contract is broken down into 76 of the HT-100 and 92 HT-750 (the system in the top image) uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). 

The contract builds on a January 2024 order for 200 of the company’s UAS, which indicates that a total of 368 are now on order. The variant breakdown of the 2024 order is not known, however. “The global security landscape is evolving towards an increasingly unmanned future, and while simultaneously contributing to the UAE’s advanced technology ecosystem, ANAVIA will continue to innovate in developing high-performance systems that deliver industry-leading capabilities,” Jon Andri Jörg, CEO of Anavia said. 

Other defence media outlets report that the deal was valued at £282.6 million ($380 million/€325 million) and was signed along with a raft of other contracts. This includes one to convert a Nimr armoured vehicle into an autonomous platform. 

• ANAVIA opens new R&D hub in Switzerland – Calibre Defence
• Sikorsky unveils S-70UAS U-Hawk – an autonomous Black Hawk – Calibre Defence  
• Omen UAV unveiled by EDGE and Anduril – Calibre Defence

The HT-750 and HT-100 can be used for a variety of roles. The smaller HT-100 is primarily oriented towards reconnaissance whilst the much larger HT-750 is built to carry cargo and other payloads with a total capacity of 750 kg. The UAE already operates proven systems like the V-Bat from Shield AI, as well as the Camcopter series from Schiebel, which are somewhat similar to the HT-100. The Camcopter was deployed operationally by UAE forces in Yemen.

Tech profile: HT-750 and HT-100

The HT-100 is smaller and designed for a range of reconnaissance missions. Credit: EDGE Group. 

Anavia offers two unmanned helicopters designed for distinct operational tiers. The HT-100 is a compact system featuring an intermeshing Flettner rotor for high stability in ISR and light logistics. The HT-750 is a heavy-lift platform with a conventional four-blade architecture, designed for large-scale cargo and long-endurance missions traditionally handled by manned aircraft.

Both platforms provide a 200 km terrestrial radio range, with “limitless” range achievable via integrated SATCOM and LTE options. While the HT-100 is optimised for efficiency in confined spaces, the HT-750 offers significantly expanded volume, capable of carrying 900 litres of fuel for 15-hour missions.

Calibre comment: Fixed vs rotary wing

There are some important differences between flight methods for a UAS. Generally speaking, rotary wing platforms like the HT-100 can take off from a much smaller space, allowing them to be deployed from ships with relative ease. They can also hover over an area for steady state reconnaissance or to deliver supplies etc. Their lift can also mean that they can carry greater payloads for their size and weight.  A fixed wing platform requires more room, either a run-up, or a catapult depending on the size. It must keep moving or it will crash and the payloads may be more limited. Platforms like the V-Bat, which has a lift fan, blend elements of both designs, allowing vertical take-off from limited space, but flight like a fixed wing platform. 

There is growing interest in rotary wing UAS, especially for resupply and support in the Indo-Pacific, with the Lockheed S-70 uncrewed Black Hawk, as well as nascent proposals for Apache attack helicopters to act as command and control centres for autonomous attack helicopter drones. The UAE is pursuing an interesting strategy around drones, having placed an order for the larger Omen UAS, which is a result of Anduril-EDGE cooperation, as well as exploring cooperation with General Atomics on the MQ-9. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on January 22, 2026. The lead image shows the HT-750. Credit: EDGE Group.