Airvolve and ASAIC Global Sign Letter of Intent for 40 Airlift-U500 aircraft delivery to India

Airvolve and ASAIC Global have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding the procurement, joint development, and manufacturing of the Airlift-U500 aircraft across multiple defense and paramilitary applications in India.

Following the platform’s first public reveal in May 2025, the Airlift-U500 heavy-lift autonomous VTOL has generated significant interest from Indian Armed Forces. Recent enhancements to the main rotor system have confirmed the aircraft’s capability to operate at altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters.

Based on identified priority requirements of the Indian Air Force, Indian Army, and Border Security Force, ASAIC has expressed readiness to procure forty (40) Airlift-U500 aircraft with ten (10) units to be delivered by September 2026 for structured trials and operational validation, and the remaining thirty (30) units by February 2027 for larger deployment.

The LoI further outlines ASAIC’s interest in potential procurement, deployment, and collaborative development of the Airlift-U500 platform for integration within India’s defense and security infrastructure.

ASAIC anticipates a phased strategic deployment of Airlift-U500 fleets as follows:

Phase 1: Co-Development & Validation (2025–2027) — 150–200 units

Phase 2: Manufacturing Localization (2028–2030) — 550–650 units

Phase 3: Strategic Partnership & Export (2031–2035) — 1,400–1,600 units