Development of a Class 3 UAS Already Begun

Brazil’s Akaer and Intra Defense Technologies of Saudi Arabia signed an agreement during LAAD 2023 to develop large UAS to address existing Saudi requirements but also, potentially, to address developing demand elsewhere. “This is a crucial partnership for the Akaer’s growth in important markets for Brazil, such as the Middle East. We are expanding our actions around the world and creating new sources of synergy,” commented Akaer CEO, Cesar Silva.

Currently, Intra successfully operates UAVs in Saudi Arabia, having accumulated over 4,000 flight hours in multiple missions, with one of two types of VTOL UAV on display at LAAD. The new partnership will address the Saudi government’s Vision 2030 project, which envisages the majority of the industrial content of proposed programmes such as this being developed indigenously. The first project – a Class 3 twin-engined UAS – began in January, and other solutions are foreseen.