El Salvador is studying the purchase of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and a helicopter within the military agreement with Turkey. The Central American country has its eye on the TAI T625 Gökbey medium utility helicopter and the TAI Anka-S UAV; both intended to equip the Salvadoran Air Force (FAS).
In agreement with the Turkish government, El Salvador should increase the purchase of more military equipment to reinforce its security, as part of what would be the third phase of the Territorial Control security program.
Characteristics of the aircraft
The TAI625 is equipped with two LHTEC CTS800-4A engines of 1,373shp unit power; It has capacity for 12 passengers and two crew; it is 15.87 meters long; It has a maximum cruising speed of 306 kilometers per hour; A range of 740 kilometers and a range of almost four hours. The helicopter will reportedly be used by the government and in wounded transport and medical evacuation missions.
The TAI Anka-S UAV will provide a surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence capability for the SAF that it currently lacks. The company has more than 90 units produced and operated by Algeria, Chad, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia and Turkey itself.
The Anka-S can carry up to 350 kilograms of cargo; it is 8.6 meters long; it has a wingspan of 17.5 meters and uses a 170 hp Tusaş Engine Industries three-blade engine. Its maximum speed is 217 kilometers per hour; range of 4,900 kilometers; the data link range is 250 kilometers; It has an autonomy of 30 hours and service ceiling of 30,000 feet.