In a current Standard article it is described and criticized between the lines that domestic aircraft engines from Rotax (also) power the Turkish reconnaissance and combat drones TB2 Bayraktar (flag carrier, see picture and information below). These are currently playing a role in the resurgence of the never “frozen” conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh (Military News reported), dozens of videos of successful drone missions in the final stages can be found on the web. The images also show Armenian soldiers firing their AK-47s – pointlessly – at the UAVs circling high above them, similar to the way soldiers shot at airplanes during the First World War. During his visit to the site in 2018, the author was also reminded of the battles of 1914 to 1918 by the complex trench structures in the region (including the trench mirrors and snipers) and the artillery positioned slightly behind the positions. Unlike back then, however, drones and night vision devices are also in use today and real-time propaganda from both sides is delivered directly from the positions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqRIOmbZWxc
Back to Rotax: The Upper Austrian company emphasized in a statement that its engines “are distributed through an independent, worldwide network of distributors and that the company complies with all laws and regulations. BRP-Rotax does not supply engines directly to drone manufacturers and has no contractual agreements with them,” said a company spokesperson. In terms of export law, the Rotax 912/914 engines are “free goods” according to the Austrian Ministry of Economic Affairs, which means that they could and can be exported legally without obtaining prior approval from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Although Rotax does not position itself as a military supplier, the company’s engines – as “free goods” – also found their way into the MQ-1 Predator drones (already discontinued in the USA) and the Israeli Heron, which is also leased by the German Bundeswehr, for example.
The engines for airplanes and boats from Wels are in high demand internationally. For the most part, however, they are used in civilian aircraft; for every military drone there are around 10,000 aircraft, such as the Austrian company Diamond Aircraft, which is also very successful in the government sector. Diamond Aircraft. And finally, these 100 hp 4-cylinder 4-stroke engines from the 912iS series are freely available from the general spare parts trade online online. Or you can obtain them – even as a private individual – from the stocks of any aircraft manufacturer anywhere in the world.
