Ascendance targets Asia-Pacific with hybrid-electric aviation partnerships

Author: Aionline
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Hybrid-electric aviation start-up Ascendance is extending its presence into Southeast Asia through new agreements with Pen Aviation and Pahang Aerospace City in Malaysia. The memoranda of understanding (MOUs) set the stage for integrating Ascendance’s Sterna propulsion system into locally developed drones and introducing the Atea four-passenger VTOL aircraft as a potential alternative to conventional helicopters.

Letters of intent cover prospective sales of 15 Atea aircraft, with full-scale prototype assembly expected to begin in early 2026. The partnerships will also establish a hybrid propulsion competence centre, a production facility, and a flight demonstration space at Pahang Aerospace City, creating a regional hub for advanced hybrid-electric aviation technology.

The agreements facilitate collaboration with academic institutions in the region, fostering research, skills development, and innovation. By combining manufacturing capabilities, flight testing, and educational engagement, Ascendance aims to accelerate the adoption of hybrid-electric aircraft and cultivate a skilled ecosystem to support emerging markets.

The expansion signals Ascendance’s strategic focus on scaling hybrid-electric aviation solutions beyond Europe, demonstrating the commercial potential of low-emission VTOL aircraft and modular propulsion systems in regions with growing urban mobility and logistics needs.

These initiatives position Malaysia as a regional centre for hybrid-electric aviation while supporting Ascendance’s broader objectives of sustainable air mobility, advanced propulsion technology, and market diversification.

Discover how Ascendance is leveraging strategic partnership to accelerate hybrid-electric aviation in the Asia-Pacific. 



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