US-based electric air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation Inc. has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), preparing to establish its first production facility outside the United States in Abu Dhabi. Under the agreement, the company aims to launch its electric air taxi service in the UAE by 2026.
According to the announcement, the California-based start-up will open an engineering centre to support its regional operations and will collaborate with Stellantis to establish local manufacturing. The project will be supported by various incentives provided by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office.
First Production Hub in the Middle East
This preliminary agreement marks Archer’s first international partnership outside the United States. The company had previously strengthened its ties with the Gulf nation through support from Abu Dhabi’s investment arm, Mubadala Capital. The new plant is seen as a significant step in Archer’s expansion into the Middle Eastern and Asian markets.
Archer will showcase its fully electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight, at the Dubai Airshow 2025, scheduled for November. During the exhibition, the company plans to announce new partnership agreements with local and international stakeholders.
Local Production and Certification Process
Archer’s production partner Stellantis will support the facility’s infrastructure, supply chain, and assembly processes in Abu Dhabi. The company’s testing and certification activities are being carried out both in the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), commented on the agreement:
“Our goal is to ensure that Archer’s air taxis can operate in UAE skies following approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”
This development is expected to contribute to the UAE’s vision for sustainable air mobility while reinforcing Archer’s position as a global leader in the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry.
