Ukrainian Ambassador to Ankara Vasyl Bodnar was among the foreign representatives who participated in the “İstikbalin Yüzyılı” (Eng: Century of the Future) promotional program held at TAI’s facilities in Ankara. Making a statement after the event, Ambassador Bodnar said, “Turkey has taken its place among the world’s leading aviation powers.” Mentioning the defense industry cooperation between Turkey and Ukraine, Ambassador Bodnar drew attention to the cooperation in the AKINCI UCAV, ATAK-2 and ANKA-3 projects. Bayraktar Kızılelma project is also among the projects with engine cooperation. The Ambassador also announced that they cooperated in the National Combat Aircraft KAAN project. According to the information obtained by Defence Turk, the scope of the cooperation mentioned is similar to the cooperation in other projects. The details of the cooperation with Ukraine for the engine of the KAAN jet aircraft are not known.
Within the framework of the ATAK-2 Program, two TV3-117VMA-SBM1V-01T Turboshaft Engines produced by Ukrainian Motor Sich were delivered to TAI on January 27, 2023. With the integration of the engines into the helicopter, various ground tests were carried out and then the first flight was carried out.
Engines supplied from Ukraine will be used in the first stage in the ANKA-3 delta wing unmanned aircraft system, which is also carried out by TAI. In this context, it is considered that an AI-322 or an equivalent turbofan engine will be used in the first stage in ANKA-3, which will be in the 7-ton class.
It is planned to use AI-25TLT and AI-322F turbofan engines, produced jointly by Ukrainian origin Ivchenko Progress and Motor Sich, in Bayraktar KIZILELMA, developed by Baykar Teknoloji. There are 3 different power group options which are; 1 AI-25TLT, AI-322F or 2 AI-322F, for different needs. A contract had been signed with Ukraine for the supply of engines for KIZILELMA.
