IDEX: Aura Aero establishes defence-focused subsidiary

M will spearhead, alongside other products, concurrent development of the French electric aircraft pioneer’s regional aircraft.

Highlighting platform commonality between the proposed variants, “this will enable Aura Aero to be stronger and utilise both application cases to accelerate decarbonisation and share development costs,” explained Jérémy Caussade, CEO, co-founder and chief engineer – adding that a defence-focused business area has always been on the cards.

Based in Abu Dhabi and supported “by the highest level” of government, the new venture will be enabled through a collaboration between the French government with financial help from the UAE capital.

“We feel we could do far more than what we would achieve alone,” added Caussade, noting the existing strategic alignment between the UAE and France, including their air forces’ preference for Dassault fighters.

Set-up of a pre-selected production facility (Aura Aero’s “third and last”) will commence next year, with the acceleration and fostering of capabilities in Abu Dhabi also key to the venture.

Expanding on the opportunities offered by the all-electric ‘ERA’ electric regional aircraft – set to make its first flight in 2026 ahead of anticipated entry into service in 2028 – the militarised ‘Intruder’ variant will fulfil roles such as airborne command and control or cargo transportation.

This could potentially operate in an uncrewed capacity. Leveraging ERA’s fully fly-by-wire technology, an upcoming UAV is also set to “use the same brain”. With M fully engaged with military specialists across France and Abu Dhabi, “the French Air Force also want to be among the first to operate the electric Integral E omni-role trainer,” concluded defence advisor, general Bruno Jean Marcel Antoine Clermont.