US Central Command and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to establish a bilateral task force dedicated to accelerating military artificial intelligence development, CENTCOM announced.
Named Task Force Talon Synapse, the Abu Dhabi-based unit is expected to formally launch within the coming weeks. It will comprise roughly 20 personnel from both countries, with expertise spanning AI, data, and cybersecurity.
“This will be a historic milestone as we work with one of our most capable regional partners to rapidly deliver evolving AI advancements to our warfighters. Together, we and our Emirati partners share a strong commitment to adopting AI applications that will foster innovation at speed and scale,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander said in a statement.
The task force’s work will focus on three areas: AI-driven intelligence support, protecting critical infrastructure, and monitoring the regional security environment.
The agreement has been in the works for some time. Cooper and UAE National Security Advisor Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed the concept last year.
CENTCOM followed up with meetings involving AI industry leaders and Emirati defence officials during a visit to the region last month.
For the UAE, the arrangement deepens an already close security relationship with Washington and positions Abu Dhabi at the centre of a defence AI development programme with direct operational applications across the Middle East.
