26 October 2022
Austrian engine company BRP Rotax has confirmed that some of its engines – or ‘counterfeits’ – are powering Iranian Mohajer-6 suicide drones being used by Russia to hit targets in Ukraine.
BRP Rotax issued this statement following a report by CNN:
“We have been made aware of the alleged use of Rotax engines, or counterfeit engines, in certain specific situations involving Iranian Mohajer-6 drones in the conflict areas. We are taking this situation very seriously.
“BRP has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia.
“As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines.
“Rotax aircraft engines are produced, designed and certified for civil use only by the applicable civil regulatory authority.”
There is speculation that the engines may have come from the sustained series of thefts around the world of Rotax power units from light aircraft. Many were stolen from aircraft based in the UK in overnight raids. Both BMAA and LAA aircraft were involved. UK police brought the investigation of the thefts into its Operation Opal national intelligence unit which focusses on serious organised crime.
Rotax lists more than 130 912 and 914 engines stolen between 2000 and 2021. The UK has the dubious distinction of heading the list with 36 thefts, followed by Germany with 31. The full list is here.
Iranian Mohajer-6 drone, shot down over Black Sea in October, had engines made by Rotax company
Rotax announced they are starting investigation: https://t.co/RLzmddVKcB
Austrian gov-t should also investigate. No details that could aid Iran kill ???? should get into their hands pic.twitter.com/K5RKMiDZrY
— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) October 24, 2022
