Hybrid-electric aviation start-up Ascendance is pursuing opportunities in the Asia-Pacific market through a pair of new partnerships in Malaysia. On September 17, the French company signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Pen Aviation and Pahang Aerospace City Development.
Pen Aviation has agreed to explore opportunities to integrate Ascendance’s Sterna hybrid-electric propulsion system into locally-developed uncrewed air vehicles. The Kuala Lumpur-based company, which is active in aircraft sales and charter as well as developing drones, will also serve is distributor for Ascendance’s Atea hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft in Southeast Asia, where the partners believe it could replace helicopters.
The MOU covered letters of intent for prospective sales of 15 of the four-passenger Atea aircraft, which is powered by the Sterna propulsion system. Ascendance aims to complete assembly of the first full-scale prototype in early 2026.
Pahang Aerospace City is an aviation innovation hub backed by Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund and located in one of the country’s special economics zones. The site is located close to the planned new Al-Sultan Abdullah Kuantan International Airport (WMAA).
Under the partnership, the companies will jointly develop a hybrid propulsion competence center at Pahang. The site is also expected to accommodate a production facility and space for flight demonstrations. The Pahang Aerospace City Development also agreed to help Toulouse-based Ascendance to establish further collaborations with local academic institutions including University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah.
The signing ceremony in Kuala Lumpur was attended by Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and France’s ambassador to Malaysia, Axel Cruau.