Safran Helicopter Engines has announced that the Arriel 2K engine powering the Leonardo AW09 has received EASA certification on 30 July 2026. The type certification milestone marks a key step for the AW09 programme as it moves towards entry into service, while confirming the European regulatory approval of the engine selected for the helicopter.
Safran says the Arriel 2K is a new variant in the Arriel family, optimised for the AW09 and fitted with dual-channel FADEC and an EACB. Leonardo lists the AW09 with the Safran Arriel 2K dual FADEC turbine engine as its powerplant, making the certification directly relevant to the aircraft’s commercial readiness.
The certification follows a test campaign that began with bench tests in 2022 and the first AW09 flight in March 2023. Safran says the engine accumulated more than 4,100 hours of testing, including over 600 flight hours.
Related coverage says the engine is in the 1,000 hp class and that the test campaign included icing and endurance work. The sources available here confirm the engine certification, but do not confirm full aircraft type certification or an exact in-service date for the AW09.