News Briefs: JOUAV & Chery
Plus, Hong Kong & Aerofugia
JOUAV Signs MOU with Thailand’s Systronics to Boost UAV Development
June 6, 2025 — UAV manufacturer JOUAV announced that it had inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Thailand’s Systronics Co., Ltd. on June 4, in Chengdu, Sichuan province.
Under the MOU, both parties will collaborate on the research, development, and implementation of UAV pilot projects, while jointly supporting the growth of infrastructure for the UAS industry in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
The partnership is expected to accelerate the development of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) control systems in Thailand and contribute to enhancing the training and capabilities of local UAV professionals.
Author’s note — From my lens as an aviation consultant working with Southeast Asia’s civil aviation authorities, this marks an important step—not just for JOUAV, but for the Mekong region. I’ve covered JOUAV’s work in Lao PDR before, and it’s clear they understand how to operate in these markets—something that requires more than just tech. Rather, it takes real knowledge of demographics and dynamics (and patience). Seems like JOUAV is creating meaningful progress.
Saying this, they have the tech.
Separately, for those looking to invest in the country, the Thailand Board of Investment is highly impressive. The BOI is run by hardworking and highly capable people. I’ve followed and covered the EEC’s aviation and aerospace plans, primarily for Aviation International News, and while the goals are ambitious, I have no doubt they will succeed with many of their projects.
Over a decade ago, Triumph Aviation Services Asia (TASA), under the leadership of Peter Gille, Director of Operations and Engineering, took young, unskilled, non-English-speaking Thais—many of whom were working in 7-Elevens—and trained them to manufacture aircraft piece parts — the seat tray, the seat arm, rivets, etc. For aerospace engineering students, TASA offered up to seven years of in-house training — they were repairing APUs, among other components.
Thanks to strategic foreign investments, liberal policies, incentives, and a strong foundation in post-secondary education, Thailand has built a solid aerospace sector — they have top tier industry players. With upcoming trials of EHang’s EH216-S and expanded UAV training, it’s definitely a country to watch.
(Thailand is also making impressive strides in space).
Chery Unveils Roadmap for Flying Cars at China Auto Chongqing Forum
June 6, 2025 — Chery Automobile highlighted its progress on eVTOL development during the 2025 China Auto Chongqing Forum, held June 6–7 under the theme “Shaping the Industry's Future in an Era of Transformation,” according to Sina Tech News.
Wang Junjie, Director of Chery’s Flying Car Laboratory, announced that the company, in collaboration with Tsinghua University, successfully completed test flights of a functional flying car prototype earlier this year.
The project is being rolled out in three phases: point-to-point urban flights, on-demand aerial mobility, and ultimately, door-to-door transport.
