Canadian export freeze on Turkey extends to UAV engines
Canadian company bans sales of UAV engines manufactured in Austria
Canada-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) is suspending exports to Turkey of engines produced by its Austrian subsidiary Rotax.
The engines are being used on Bayraktar TB2 UCAVs, but BRP insists that they are certified for commercial use only. However, EU dual-use export rules do not list this type of engine as requiring an approval permit – so Austrian legislation does not prohibit sales to Turkey for installation on UCAVs.
‘We have recently been made aware that some Rotax engines are currently used in military UAVs, and have started a thorough investigation immediately,’ Martin Langelier, BPR's senior vice president and the company's spokesperson, told state-owned Radio Canada International on 25 October.
‘In the meantime, we are suspending delivery of aircraft engines in countries with unclear usage.’
Bayraktar TB2s are being used extensively by Azerbaijan in its ongoing conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh. The UCAVs contain Canadian components; on 5 October, the Canadian government announced it was freezing defence equipment exports to Turkey.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration]()
What the future holds for Ukraine and NATO under a Trump administration
Although Trump’s geopolitics policy for Europe remains unclear, defence analysts from the US and Europe predict how his incoming administration would attempt to handle critical issues on the continent.
-
![RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific]()
RUSI deputy: UK needs longer procurement plans and improved awareness of US sift to Indo-Pacific
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October was the first by a Labour government in 14 years which has also launched a review into defence procurement programmes.
-
![Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard]()
Australia outlines longer punch and brings local industry onboard
The Australian government has placed a focus on Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) which has included the purchase of additional long-range rocket systems and investments in local production of missiles.
-
![UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?]()
UK boosts defence budget by 5.3%, but is this enough?
The UK budget announced in Parliament on 30 October is the first by a Labour government in 14 years. While it sees a boost in defence spending, this comes in the face of fiscal challenges and the effects of inflation.
-
![UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review]()
UK makes big moves to fix “broken” defence procurement system ahead of major review
The changes are intended to meet greater need and deliver more value for money.
-
![US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities]()
US companies invest in production capabilities to satisfy DoD’s hunger for cutting-edge capabilities
BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Lockheed Martin have been betting on new facilities and innovative manufacturing technologies to speed up the development of new solutions.
