Turkish Aerospace and TEI have signed a new engine supply agreement that carries strategic importance for Türkiye’s national unmanned aerial vehicle programs. Under the agreement, signed during SAHA 2026 International Defense, Aerospace and Space Industry Fair, 100 TEI-PD170 turbodiesel aviation engines will be supplied for use in ANKA and AKSUNGUR unmanned aerial vehicles. The signing represents a major step in Türkiye’s efforts to increase localization and strengthen supply independence in UAV engine technologies.

The agreement is considered an important phase in the process of powering ANKA and AKSUNGUR platforms, both developed by Turkish Aerospace, with domestically produced engines. Previously, 40 TEI-PD170 engines had been delivered for the two platforms. The entry of the domestically powered AKSUNGUR into the inventory for the first time in December 2025 marked an important milestone in the operational use of the national engine. With the new contract, this capability is expected to be expanded on a larger scale.

Developed as Türkiye’s first national turbodiesel aviation engine, the TEI-PD170 stands out with its long engine life, low fuel consumption, high-altitude performance and high electrical power generation capacity. These features are especially critical for MALE-class UAVs that need to remain airborne for extended periods. The ability of platforms such as ANKA and AKSUNGUR to conduct long-duration reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence, target detection and armed missions is directly linked to engine reliability and performance.

The fact that the TEI-PD170 was developed with domestic resources is one of Türkiye’s most important achievements in reducing foreign dependency in defense aviation. Engine supply for UAVs is among the critical areas most vulnerable to embargoes and export restrictions. For this reason, serial supply of the national engine is of great importance for both production continuity and operational independence. The new 100-engine contract between Turkish Aerospace and TEI demonstrates the strengthening of national capacity in this field.

ANKA and AKSUNGUR are among Türkiye’s key UAV platforms used to meet different operational needs of the Turkish Armed Forces and security forces. ANKA has long been used in reconnaissance, surveillance, target detection and communication missions, while AKSUNGUR stands out as a heavier-class platform with greater payload capacity and long endurance, capable of carrying different munitions and mission equipment. The integration of TEI-PD170 engines into these platforms will increase operational capability in terms of endurance, altitude performance and energy supply.

With the new contract, the localization rate of national UAV platforms is expected to increase further. Supplying a critical subsystem such as the engine domestically not only supports the ANKA and AKSUNGUR programs, but also creates an important technology base for Türkiye’s future unmanned aerial vehicles. The combination of TEI’s engine development and production capability with Turkish Aerospace’s platform design and integration experience shows that Turkish defense aviation is growing through an ecosystem-based approach.

The agreement signed at SAHA 2026 highlights not only the level Türkiye has reached in unmanned aerial vehicle technologies, but also its determination to develop national solutions in critical engine technologies that power these platforms. Covering the supply of 100 TEI-PD170 engines, the contract will increase the operational effectiveness of ANKA and AKSUNGUR while directly contributing to sustainable domestic production and supply security in the defense industry.