Latvian military received Tarragon aircraft

The Latvian military received Tarragon aircraft to train its pilots.

Artis Pabriks, the country’s Defense Minister, accepted two aircraft at an airfield in the city of Ādaži.

These training vehicles are produced by the Latvian company SIA Pelegrin.

According to the Head of the Latvian military department, it was possible to restore not only the automotive industry but also the production of aircraft due to the cooperation of the Armed Forces and the military industry of Latvia.

Air Force pilots flew Tarragon aircraft from the airfield to the air base of the Armed Forces, where new aircraft will be based permanently.

A solemn meeting ceremony was held at the airbase with the participation of Colonel Viesturs Masulis, Commander of the Air Force.

The first Tarragon national aircraft of Latvia will be used to train pilots, as well as maintain their qualifications and sustain other combat missions.

The Tarragon is a two-seat low-wing turboprop aircraft with the tricycle landing gear.

The aircraft’s length is 7530 mm, the wingspan is 7940 mm, and the height is 2490 mm. It can be powered by 100 hp Rotax 912ULS and Rotax 912iS engines, 115 hp Rotax 914, and 135 hp Rotax 915iS.

The engines allow reaching speeds of up to 370 km/h and an altitude of up to 3.5 km.

The maximum range is 1300 km. The aircraft is economical in operation and maintenance. The minimum length of its speed run on asphalt pavement is 225 m, and the length of the run is 150 m.

In September 2021, the Latvian Air Force signed an agreement to purchase two domestically-made Tarragon ultralight aircraft. It is also worth noting that Latvia is transferring part of its aviation to Ukraine. In August of this year, the Armed Forces of Ukraine received two Mi-17 and two Mi-2 helicopters from Latvia.