Saab receives order to continue future fighter concept studies out to 2027
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
Ukrainian engines will power the Turkish T929 attack helicopter. (Photo: IHA)
Ukrainian firm Motor Sich is providing 14 engines to Turkish Aerospace for the T929 Multirole Heavy Combat Helicopter — a heavier (11t) version of the T129 Atak attack helicopter.
Turkish Aerospace did not disclose the value of the deal or the delivery timeframe in announcing the contract on 29 June, but it could solve a particularly thorny problem for the manufacturer.
The Atak programme ran into difficulties because of US sanctions imposed in 2019 after Ankara pushed ahead with procurement of S-400 air defence missile systems from Russia.
The US-made LHTEC CTS800-4A turboshaft engine for Atak, manufactured under a JV between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce, is affected by these sanctions.
Turkey is developing its own turboshaft engine for the T129: the TS1400 from TUSAŞ Engine Industries. This may be a solution but its development is not expected to be completed until 2025.
US sanctions are also likely to stimulate the development of domestically made engines for the T929 and other Turkish helicopters.
Another option to power the T129 might be an ITAR-free engine such as the Safran Arano 1A, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
The order from the FMV is an extension of the original contract signed in March 2024 and covers exploration of both crewed and uncrewed platforms.
The Gray Eagle STOL will be made available to several international militaries, with initial customer delivery planned for 2028.
The new Switchblade 400 was on display alongside new variants of existing drones: the Switchblade 600 Block 2 and Switchblade 300 Block 20.
Leonardo’s AW119T helicopter will be offered as a solution for the Flight School Next contract, an initiative which aims to overhaul the US Army’s Initial Entry Rotary Wing training.
While the F-35s will help strengthen Denmark’s NATO contribution, other equipment such as a maritime patrol aircraft and additional drones were listed to further boost its Arctic defence capabilities.
The OmniRaider uncrewed aerial system is described by Israel Aerospace Industries as an “Americanised” version of its ThunderB-NG vertical take-off and landing UAS of which there are hundreds in service.