Dubai Airshow wrapped on Friday with another slate of agreements and developments for the UAE’s eVTOL plans, along with its manufacturing and defense sectors.

eVTOLS-

#1- Local eVTOL maker enters the chat: K2, Abu Dhabi Aviation Group, and Multi Level Group have partnered up to roll out the autocraft E20+, a passenger aircraft set to be jointly operated by the three firms, Wam reports. The three firms will also manage operational readiness, regulatory integration, pilot-training, MRO development, as well as vertiport infrastructure.

About Autocraft E20+: Abu Dhabi-based K2 subsidiary Autocraft is introducing the E20+ — a Chinese-built fixed-wing eVTOL, Aviation Week reported last week. The electric vehicle — developed by Shanghai-based TCab Tech — can travel at a speed of 260 kph when cruising, with a max flight speed of 320 kph and a max range of 200 km.

The aircraft will be locally assembled, and the company plans to develop a minimum of 9-10 eVTOLs in an initial phase, communications specialist at K2 Ahmed Al Mansoori told EnterpriseAM UAE on the sidelines of the event. The firm is gearing up to begin test flights for the aircraft in February, he added, with a view to launch operations by 2027.

#2- Emirates SkyCargo + Lodd team up on drone-powered delivery: Emirates SkyCargo has signed an MoU with Abu Dhabi-based drone manufacturer Lodd Autonomous to validate the use of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft across the carrier’s global network until the end of 2027, according to a press release published last week. This will involve feasibility studies, regulatory coordination, and live demonstrations.

Watch the skies for Lodd flights: Lodd Autonomous is set to launch unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) parcel and cargo deliveries by 2H 2026 — with the first test flight scheduled in November.

#3- Falcon Executive Aviation to build UAE’s first fully integrated private jet-heli-eVTOL terminal in Dubai: Falcon Executive Aviation — the private aviation arm of Alex Group Investment — is launching a fully-private, multi-modal fixed-base operator terminal in Dubai, according to a press release. The project will cater to private jet, helicopter, and future eVTOL operations, making it the first Emirati operator to launch an integrated gateway for all three services, according to the statement.

The details: The 6.4k sqm terminal is being developed as an ultra-private, high-security facility with direct helipad and vertiport connectivity, and will include VIP lounges, retail and private banking, and commercial spaces.

MANUFACTURING-

#1- Mubadala, Airbus expand A400M manufacturing collaboration: Mubadala Investment Company signed a framework agreement with Airbus to develop manufacturing, assembly, and support capabilities for Airbus’ A400M military transport aircraft, according to a press release (pdf). Strata, Mubadala’s aerostructures unit, is set to supply new A400M work packages now being defined with Airbus.

Next up, training hub: The agreement also includes plans for a National Aerospace Training Center of Excellence in Al Ain to develop UAE aerospace talent and support future industry demand.

REMEMBER- Strata also agreed to develop a wing component for Airbus’ A320 jet models, meeting nearly half of total demand for the component.

#2- A new manufacturing unit lands at MBRAH: The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) and Atherion Aerospace — a new aerospace manufacturing subsidiary of Economic Group Holdings (EGH) — signed an agreement to offer advanced aerospace manufacturing services and components from its base at MBRAH, according to a statement published on Friday.

DEFENSE-

#1-Tawazun Council inked nine contracts worth AED 1.0 bn on the final day of Dubai Airshow, bringing total agreements signed on behalf of the Defense Ministry and Abu Dhabi Police during the week to 36 contracts worth AED 25.5 bn, state news agency Wam reports.

On the final day, local contracts totaled AED 544.7 mn and included:

  • an AED 57.6 mn contract with M4 Trading for a ground control station;
  • an separate AED 161.6 mn contract with M4 Trading for aircraft procurement;
  • an AED 29 mn contract for maintenance of cooling equipment and generators with Al Taif;
  • an AED 154.5 mn agreement with MP3 to supply materials and equipment for pilots and aerial rescue operations;
  • International Golden Group obtained AED 65.9 mn for aerial-drop systems;
  • Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) secured AED 76 mn for drone procurement.

… and three international contracts totaled AED 467.9 mn:

  • US defense and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin received AED 184 mn for technical support services and spare parts for portable devices;
  • Lockheed Martin also secured AED 63.6 mn for spare parts for aircraft simulators;
  • Raytheon, another US aerospace and defense player, was awarded an AED 220.4 mn contract to supply friendly-force identification systems.

ALSO- Tawazun pushes deeper into aerospace manufacturing: Tawazun Council and Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft signed a new agreement to widen the scope of composite manufacturing for the PC-12 Pro aircraft, state news agency Wam reports. Production will be carried out by Mubadala-owned advanced aerostructures producer Strata and Pilatus. The accord builds on existing work packages between Strata and Pilatus and formalizes an offset-backed expansion into PC-12 Pro components.

#2- Satcom manufacturing push from Katim + Space42: Edge subsidiary Katim signed a strategic alliance with spacetech firm Space42 to manufacture secure satellite communications (satcom) hardware for sovereign use in the UAE, according to a statement. The hardware will integrate Katim’s encrypted communications technologies with Space42’s satellite infrastructure to deliver locally built systems for defense, government, and commercial customers.

#3- Leonardo eyes full-scale manufacturing in Dubai: Italy-based aerospace defense and security group Leonardo is studying plans to launch full manufacturing operations in Dubai, Al Bayan cites Leonardo International CEO Carlo Gualdaroni as saying. The firm is looking to convert its UAE representative office into an integrated industrial entity, and to use Dubai as an export hub for markets where it already has a strong commercial footprint. Joint projects with local firms are also in the cards, with the firm aiming to train Emirati talent in Italy.

#4- Calidus, LIG Nex1 launch UAE missile manufacturing JV: Abu Dhabi-based manufacturer Calidus Holding Group and South Korean aerospace and arms manufacturer LIG Nex1 signed a joint venture agreement to co-develop and manufacture missile and air-defense systems in the UAE, Wam reports. The JV will establish local production lines and support next-gen air-defense tools, while a parallel MoU covers future cooperation on multi-layered air-defense systems, C2 systems, radars, and other technologies.

#5- Calidus also inked an agreement with Australian systems integrator 3ME Technology to codevelop hybrid power solutions for Calidus’ military vehicle fleet, Wam reports.

TECH-

#3- ADA Group looks to accelerate advanced aviation solutions: Abu Dhabi Aviation Group (ADA Group) inked an MoU with Abu Dhabi-based AI and data analytics firm Presight to embed AI, advanced analytics, and data-management systems across ADA Group’s aviation and industrial operations in the Emirates, according to a press release (pdf) published on Friday. The move aims to increase operational efficiency, boost fleet readiness, and support technological self-reliance across the UAE.

MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND OVERHAUL-

Royal Jordanian taps Sanad for engine MRO: Abu Dhabi-based aerospace firm Sanad inked a three-year engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) agreement with Jordan’s flagship airline Royal Jordanian, according to a statement released on Friday. Sanad will offer MRO services for V2500 engines across the airline’s fleet.

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