Strategic Development Fund and Dronamics Announce Agreement to Create a Manufacturing Joint Venture for the Black Swan Cargo Drone at Dubai Airshow 2023

The UAE’s Strategic Development Fund (SDF) and Dronamics, a pioneering cargo drone airline, today announced that they signed a term sheet to set-up a joint venture (JV) to produce the Black Swan cargo drones to fulfill the global demand and requirements for Dronamics’ international and local customers. The JV will constitute the first serial production plant for the Dronamics Black Swan aircraft.

In late 2022, SDF through its Venture Capital division invested in Dronamics and is its largest investor to date. The JV term sheet signed at the Dubai Airshow 2023, builds on the Venture Capital investment and the MoU signed between SDF and Dronamics at last month’s SAVI Cluster launch event at Masdar City by the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development. 

Abdulla Naser Al Jaabari, Managing Director and CEO of SDF, said: “SDF is committed to investing in financially sustainable partnerships that contribute towards building manufacturing and technological capabilities in the UAE.” 

“Leveraging Dronamics’ pioneering drone technology and the UAE’s logistics ecosystem and advanced infrastructure, this joint venture will bring the manufacturing base of this advanced technological solution that we believe will be a game-changer within the logistics sector for the mid-mile delivery segment.”

Svilen Rangelov, Co-Founder and CEO of Dronamics, said: “This joint venture will propel our advanced cargo drone technology into the market on a grand scale. Our collaboration with SDF, an existing key strategic investor in Dronamics, reinforces our vision to provide same-day delivery for all, with the aim of leveraging the UAE’s exceptional infrastructure. Together, we believe we will revolutionize the logistics and air cargo sectors, seizing the vast opportunities within the UAE and the global market.”

Christian Jens Ziehe, Executive Director, Portfolio Management and Head of Industrial Investments Portfolio at SDF: “This agreement is an example of how SDF combines its different investment approaches to achieve its mandate of both financial and strategic returns in an optimal way to bring the best value towards the companies SDF invests in while developing business and technology capabilities in the UAE. Through the JV, we will set up a facility in the UAE to start serial production in 2025 that will have the capacity to produce up to 300 Black Swan drones annually. The JV will also contribute to further development of the local supply chain within Aerospace in the UAE.”

This innovative, remotely-piloted aircraft developed by Dronamics, is capable of transporting up to 350 kgs (770 lbs) for 2,500 kms (1,550 miles) and represents a leap in long-range, high-payload aerial logistics. 

For more details, please visit www.dronamics.com and www.sdf.ae.

Dronamics is exhibiting at the Dubai Airshow as part of the SDF static park, S40.

About Strategic Development Fund: The Strategic Development Fund (SDF), established in Abu Dhabi in 2019, is focused on investing in specific strategic Technology and industrial sectors towards fostering economic and industrial growth in the UAE while achieving financial return. It invests in businesses and partnerships through private equity, greenfield and venture capital investments locally and internationally. In addition, through its Venture Debt Program SDF provides developmental funding aimed at the UAE’s private sector SME’s to contribute towards economic development through sustainable growth and in-country value creation. 

About Dronamics: Dronamics is the world’s first cargo drone airline. As a leading developer and operator of large, long-range drones built specifically for cargo, its flagship Black Swan will carry 350 kg (770 lb) at a distance of up to 2,500 km (1,550 mi) up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with up to 60% lower emissions than alternative modes of transport, including airfreight. This proven technology enables same-day shipping over very long distances for a variety of industries: from pharma to food, from e-commerce to spare parts. The company’s fast-growing team includes some of the most experienced aerospace, logistics and technology experts. Dronamics is Europe’s first licensed cargo drone airline and IATA’s first Strategic Partner for drones worldwide.

Dronamics is co-funded by the European Union under the prestigious European Innovation Council, Europe’s flagship innovation program.