Vertical Aerospace signs Saudi deal to explore electric aircraft manufacturing
The British eVTOL maker will assess localised production and commercial operations in the Kingdom under a three-party agreement
Vertical Aerospace, the British electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer, has signed a memorandum of understanding with two Saudi partners to explore advanced air mobility (AAM) in the Kingdom.
The three-party agreement with Abdel Hadi Abdullah Al-Qahtani & Sons Group of Companies (AHQ Group) and the Saudi National Industrial Development Centre (NIDC) establishes a framework for evaluating manufacturing localisation, commercial eVTOL operations and potential investment and incentive opportunities.
The partnership is aligned with Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia's programme to diversify its economy away from oil dependence.
Vertical said the parties will assess how the Kingdom could become a regional hub for electric aircraft manufacturing, battery systems and AAM services, adding that Saudi Arabia could support operations of more than 1,000 of its Valo aircraft.
"Through this MoU with Vertical Aerospace and NIDC, we are exploring potential investment opportunities to build a scalable, globally competitive AAM ecosystem that combines advanced manufacturing, sustainable mobility and long-term economic value," said Tariq Abdel Hadi Al-Qahtani, chairman of AHQ Group.
Eng Saleh Al Solami, chief executive of NIDC, said the agreement reflected the centre's mandate to attract high-value manufacturing to Saudi Arabia, describing advanced air mobility as a potentially strategic industrial sector for the Kingdom.
Vertical said its Valo aircraft is designed to fly up to 160 kilometres at speeds of 240 kilometres per hour with zero operating emissions.
The company said the aircraft has been engineered for hot, high-demand environments, with operating performance up to 50 degrees Celsius, and that its batteries are installed in the fuselage and thermally isolated from solar radiation and extreme heat.
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Valo is being developed to meet certification requirements set by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
Vertical said it is also developing a hybrid-electric variant of the aircraft.
The Recap
- Vertical signed a three-party MoU to build AAM in Saudi.
- Saudi market could support operation of over 1,000 Valo aircraft.
- Parties will assess manufacturing, commercial and investment opportunities.
