Dronamic signs JV for UAE cargo drone production facility
15 / 11 / 2023
Black Swan Drone. Source: Dronamics
Cargo drone airline Dronamics and the UAE’s Strategic Development Fund (SDF) have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to produce Black Swan cargo drones.
The JV will result in the first serial production plant for the airline’s Black Swan aircraft. Production is due to start at the UAE facility in 2025.
In late 2022, SDF, through its Venture Capital division, invested in Dronamics and is its largest investor to date.
The JV term sheet signed at this year’s Dubai Airshow, builds on the Venture Capital investment and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between SDF and Dronamics at last month’s SAVI Cluster launch event at Masdar City by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Christian Jens Ziehe, executive director, portfolio management and head of industrial investments portfolio at SDF, said: “Through the JV, we will set up a facility in the UAE to start serial production in 2025 that will have capacity to produce up to 300 Black Swan drones annually.
“The JV will also contribute to further development of the local supply chain within Aerospace in the UAE.”
Svilen Rangelov, co-founder and chief executive of Dronamics, commented: “This joint venture will propel our advanced cargo drone technology into the market on a grand scale.
“Our collaboration with SDF, an existing key strategic investor in Dronamics, reinforces our vision to provide same-day delivery for all, with the aim of leveraging the UAE’s exceptional infrastructure. Together, we believe we will revolutionize the logistics and air cargo sectors, seizing the vast opportunities within the UAE and the global market.”
Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, managing director and chief executive of SDF, added that production will support mid-mile delivery logistics in the region.
Dronamics and Dubai-headquartered multinational logistics company have also announced a LOI (Letter of Intent) agreement for cargo drone flights, facilitated by the SDF,
The former will supply its drone technology to Aramex, which moves 100m parcels annually, to enable same-day middle-mile and long-range deliveries.
The companies will explore joint deployment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates initially, followed by other key markets including South Africa and Australia.
“We’re excited to collaborate with Aramex, integrating Dronamics’ cargo drone technology to bring the transformative benefits of rapid, cost-effective, and sustainable same-day delivery to the global stage,” said Rangelov.
The Black Swan has a payload of 350 kg and a capacity of 3.5 cu m, roughly the same size as a minivan. Its range is 2,500 km, which is far enough to cover the whole of Europe.
Dronamics carried out the first test flight of its full-scale cargo drone in May.
