EASA Certifies Safran Arriel 2K Engine for Leonardo AW09

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) granted type certification to the Safran Arriel 2K turboshaft engine on July 8, 2026, clearing a critical regulatory hurdle for the Leonardo AW09 single-engine Helicopters program. Safran Helicopter Engines announced the certification milestone in a press release on July 30, 2026. The engine approval allows Leonardo to focus on the final aircraft certification and subsequent entry into commercial service for the AW09.

Testing and certification pathway

The Arriel 2K accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing since its initial bench tests in 2022. This total includes over 600 flight hours. Safran conducted ground testing at its facility in Bordes, France, and at the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) testing center in Saclay, France. Flight testing took place in Mollis, Switzerland, utilizing the AW09 prototypes.

Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet highlighted the program’s progression in the company’s July 30 statement.

“The certification of the Arriel 2K marks another defining step towards the entry into service of the AW09. All the teams at Safran Helicopter Engines are ready to support Leonardo and its customers in bringing this brand-new helicopter into service.”

Technical architecture and program integration

The Arriel 2K operates in the 1,000 shaft horsepower (shp) class. The engine architecture features a two-stage compressor utilizing one axial and one centrifugal stage, alongside an annular combustion chamber. The system is managed by a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) and includes an Engine Auxiliary Control Box (EACB) designed to reduce pilot workload during operation.

Leonardo selected the Arriel 2K for the AW09 program on January 26, 2023. This decision replaced the previously planned Honeywell HTS900 engine. The AW09 was originally developed by Kopter Group, which Leonardo acquired in April 2020. Following the engine selection, the Arriel 2K completed its Maiden-Flight on the AW09 PS4 prototype on March 16, 2023. Safran has produced more than 15,500 engines in the Arriel family to date.

AirPro News analysis

Leonardo took a calculated schedule risk when it opted to change the AW09 engine supplier in early 2023. Securing EASA type certification for the Arriel 2K just over three years after that decision validates the integration strategy. We view the selection of the Arriel family as a move to leverage an established global support network. With more than 15,500 Arriel engines already in the field, prospective AW09 operators will have access to a mature maintenance infrastructure upon the helicopter’s entry into service. The focus now shifts entirely to the AW09 airframe certification campaign.

Sources: Safran