Ascendance Launches Hybrid-Electric Aviation Partnership in Malaysia | Aviation International News

Ascendance Launches Hybrid-Electric Aviation Partnership in Malaysia

Memorandums of understanding cover its Atea VTOL aircraft and the Sterna propulsion system

Ascendance in Malaysia — French hybrid-electric aviation innovator Ascendance signed a pair of memorandums of understanding with partners in Malaysia.

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

September 19, 2025

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.

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