en.Wedoany.com Reported - During the Farnborough International Airshow, Japan's SkyDrive Inc. signed a strategic agreement with India's Kineco Limited to jointly develop and produce composite components for the SD-05 eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.

Kineco is a leading aerospace composite manufacturer in India with over 30 years of experience, having produced flight-critical structural components for multiple original equipment manufacturers and tier-one suppliers. Under the agreement, Kineco will be responsible for mold design, prototype development, certification support, and production preparation. This marks Kineco's first mass production project specifically targeting an eVTOL platform.

SkyDrive Chief Technology Officer Arnaud Coville noted that building a robust manufacturing ecosystem is crucial for achieving safe and scalable eVTOL operations. He stated that Kineco's engineering organization and resource network can accelerate SkyDrive's industrialization process, and this collaboration not only strengthens the supply chain but also deepens technological and industrial ties between Japan and India in the field of advanced air mobility.

SkyDrive is transitioning from prototype testing to commercial mass production, with plans to launch commercial operations around 2028. The cooperation project will fully leverage Kineco's expertise in advanced composites and its recently installed large autoclave (3m x 12m) in Goa.

SkyDrive has conducted extensive flight tests on its eVTOL prototype, including demonstrations at the 2025 Osaka World Expo, Osaka Port, and Tokyo International Exhibition Center. The aircraft features a high-voltage electric propulsion system and a complex airframe design, with clear requirements for lightweight, high-performance composites to meet safety, efficiency, and certification standards.