Autocraft, a UAE-based company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Wednesday with Chinese electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Shanghai TCab Technology Co., Ltd. for the purchase of 350 E20 eVTOL aircraft valued at 1 billion U.S. dollars.
This agreement represents the largest single order intent for eVTOLs in China to date, marking a milestone in the country’s emerging electric aviation sector.
For TCab Tech, a startup established in 2021, the deal is a significant step in expanding its E20 aircraft for various commercial uses such as low-altitude tourism and urban air mobility throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
The partnership evolved from ties formed at the previous China International Import Expo and leverages TCab Tech’s expertise in eVTOL design and production with Autocraft’s operational strength and market presence in the UAE.
The E20 is TCab Tech’s flagship five-seat tilt-rotor aircraft with a wingspan of 12 meters, a top speed of 320 km/h, and a range of 200 kilometers. Designed for intercity transport and urban applications like commuting, tourism, and patrolling, it features one pilot seat and four passenger seats.
Autocraft highlighted TCab Tech’s technological maturity and commitment to safety as central to the collaboration, which TCab Tech described as a critical breakthrough in its global expansion strategy.
TCab Tech CEO Yon Wui NG, a former Airbus China chief engineer, said the deal reflects growing international confidence in China’s homegrown aviation technology. The Shanghai-based company, which specializes in tilt-rotor eVTOLs, also operates subsidiaries in Singapore and Malaysia.
During the MoU signing ceremony, TCab Tech’s technical team and officials from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority held discussions to explore certification procedures, regulatory frameworks, and operational standards for deploying the E20 aircraft.
Tareq Alahmed, vice president of Autocraft, a subsidiary of Kintsugi, a leading UAE tech company, said the firm has been actively seeking global partners with cutting-edge technology and strong delivery capabilities.
The first deliveries of the E20 aircraft are expected to begin once TCab Tech secures airworthiness certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
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