Abu Dhabi is set to become a global hub for autonomous aviation following a landmark $200 million agreement between local mobility leader Barq Group and U.S.-based Elroy Air. Announced on January 8, 2026, the joint venture will establish the region’s first large-scale manufacturing facility for the Chaparral, a pioneering hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft. This facility will not only produce the aircraft but also provide comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, creating a self-sustaining aerospace ecosystem within the UAE. The initiative aligns perfectly with Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster and the "Make it in the Emirates" campaign, aiming to transform regional logistics through infrastructure-independent technology. The Chaparral is specifically engineered for "middle-mile" logistics—the critical link between major distribution centers and regional hubs. With a payload capacity of 300 lbs (136 ...