Turkish, Emirati defense firms partner on B-250 aircraft training program

ISTANBUL, Türkiye (MNTV) — Turkish defense company Havelsan has signed an agreement with UAE-based Calidus to develop a full training ecosystem for the B-250 light attack and training aircraft, strengthening bilateral cooperation in the defense sector.

The deal, concluded in July during the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF) 2025 in Istanbul, will see Havelsan provide end-to-end integrated training solutions covering all phases of flight preparation. 

Daily Sabah reported that systems will be installed at Calidus facilities in the UAE, enabling pilots to complete extensive training before entering actual cockpit operations.

As a leading Turkish firm in simulator technologies, Havelsan will deliver advanced flight training simulators to replicate real mission scenarios with accurate flight dynamics, alongside partial mission simulators focused on subsystem management and critical maneuvers. 

Additional systems will include cockpit entry and exit trainers for emergency evacuation, briefing and debriefing stations for mission planning and analysis, and a digital training infrastructure linking theoretical instruction with hands-on practice.

Havelsan General Manager Mehmet Akif Nacar said the project reflects the company’s commitment to “human-centered, integrated, and reliable systems” that enhance pilot readiness. Calidus CEO Khalifa Murad Al Balooshi emphasized that Havelsan’s proven expertise in simulation technologies will equip B-250 users with advanced, future-proof capabilities, while laying the groundwork for a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies.