TAMPA, Fla., July 28 — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reached an agreement to establish their first bilateral military task force focused on accelerating the development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) applications for defense operations.
The new unit, named Task Force Talon Synapse, is scheduled to officially launch in the coming weeks and will be headquartered in Abu Dhabi. The task force will include approximately 20 American and Emirati personnel with expertise in artificial intelligence, data science, and cybersecurity.
According to CENTCOM, the task force will work on safely and effectively integrating AI technologies into joint military operations. Its main areas of focus will include improving intelligence support, protecting critical civilian and military infrastructure, and monitoring the regional security environment across the Middle East.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper described the initiative as an important step in expanding cooperation between the two countries.
“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,” Cooper said in a public statement. “Together, we and our Emirati partners share a strong commitment to adopting AI applications that will foster innovation at speed and scale.”
The concept for Task Force Talon Synapse was first discussed last year during meetings between Adm. Brad Cooper and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE's National Security Advisor and Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi. CENTCOM officials later traveled to the UAE last month, where they met with Emirati defense officials and AI industry leaders to finalize operational planning for the new task force.
The agreement reflects the growing defense and technology partnership between the United States and the UAE. The Emirates has made significant investments in artificial intelligence in recent years, including establishing the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in 2019 and appointing a federal Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.
The initiative also follows broader U.S.-UAE cooperation in AI and advanced technology. Recent developments include plans for a joint U.S.-UAE AI campus and changes to U.S. export rules related to advanced computing hardware.
CENTCOM said the task force will help both countries integrate emerging AI technologies into defense operations while strengthening intelligence capabilities, infrastructure protection, and regional security cooperation. The command announced the agreement through its official channels on July 28, with Task Force Talon Synapse expected to begin operations in the coming weeks.
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