Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) announced on Thursday that it will jointly develop an advanced drone defense system with United Arab Emirates’ state-owned weapons maker EDGE.

Israel and the UAE formalized relations last year, brought closer by commercial interests and concern over Tehran.

In a statement, State-owned IAI, a major Israeli defense firm, said the companies will develop a Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System “tailored to the UAE market, with wider ranging benefits for the MENA region and beyond”.

EDGE, tasked with supplying advanced weapons to the UAE armed forces, is focused on developing drones, unmanned vehicles, smart weapons and electronic warfare equipment rather than conventional weaponry.