Chinese TA-20 Trainer Aircraft Evaluated by UAE as Grob and Pilatus Replacement

Wuhu Zhongke’s modified DART-450 enters UAE trials amid growing Sino-Emirati aerospace cooperation

One of the most unexpected highlights at the Dubai Airshow 2025 was the appearance of the Wuhu Zhongke TA-20 trainer aircraft, a heavily modified Chinese version of the Diamond DART-450. The aircraft, branded “Hamdan F3” in honor of Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, is being marketed as a potential replacement for the UAE Air Force and Air Defence Command’s Grob 115TA and Pilatus PC-7 trainers used in Phases 1–3 of pilot training.

Phase 4/Lead-In Fighter Training will continue with the Pilatus PC-21, while the TA-20 fills the gap left by the Calidus B-250, which is now being developed as a light attack aircraft.

The TA-20 features large blended winglets, vortex generators, and an anhedral horizontal stabilizer. It is powered by a Ukrainian Ivchenko 750hp turboprop engine, though alternative powerplants are under consideration. The cockpit includes a single-color multifunction display with Chengdu Hermes avionics and Chinese CATC HTY-5 ejection seats, which may be replaced by Martin-Baker units.

Representatives from UAE’s EDGE Group and Wuhu Zhongke confirmed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore local production, potentially marking the UAE’s first fixed-wing aircraft development project.

🛰️ Strategic Analysis: TA-20 Trainer and UAE’s Aerospace Ambitions (January 2026)

1. Strategic Context

The TA-20’s evaluation in the UAE reflects a broader trend of Emirati diversification in defense procurement, moving beyond Western suppliers to include Chinese aerospace firms. This follows EDGE’s growing ambition to become a regional aircraft manufacturer, with the TA-20 potentially becoming its first fixed-wing product.

2. Technical Positioning

• Design Enhancements: Compared to the original DART-450, the TA-20 offers aerodynamic refinements and digital cockpit upgrades tailored for modern pilot training.
• Training Role: Positioned for Phases 1–3 of flight instruction, the TA-20 complements the PC-21 in advanced fighter prep, offering a cost-effective and modular solution.
• Local Production Potential: If EDGE proceeds with domestic manufacturing, the TA-20 could become a flagship for UAE’s defense industrial base.

3. Regional Implications

• Pilot Pipeline Modernization: With over 560 aircraft in UAEAF&AD service, modernizing the training fleet is critical for sustaining operational readiness.
• Strategic Autonomy: The TA-20’s entry signals a shift toward multi-vector partnerships, reducing reliance on European trainers like the Grob and Pilatus.
• China’s Export Strategy: The TA-20’s debut aligns with Beijing’s push to expand its aerospace footprint in the Middle East, offering competitive alternatives to Western platforms.

4. Industry Commentary

According to Aviation Week, the TA-20’s appearance at Dubai Airshow was part of a Sino-Emirati initiative to co-develop turboprop trainers, with EDGE and Wuhu Zhongke exploring joint production. The Royal Aeronautical Society also highlighted the aircraft’s multi-role potential, including reconnaissance and aerobatics.

Chinese media emphasized the TA-20’s carbon-fiber airframe and digital cockpit, positioning it as a successor to aging CJ-6 trainers in China and a contender in global trainer markets

📊 Comparative Snapshot
Feature ----------------------- TA-20 (China/UAE)---- Grob 115TA (Germany)--Pilatus PC-7 (Switzerland)
Engine ------------------------ 750hp turboprop--------- Piston --------------------------Turboprop
Cockpit ------------------------ Digital Hermes MFD----Analog--------------------------Basic digital
Wing Design ----------------- Blended winglets-------- Straight------------------------Conventional
Role ---------------------------- Basic–Intermediate----- Phase 1–2---------------------Phase 2–3
Local Production Potential -Yes (EDGE UAE)------- No-------------------------------No

🧠 Conclusion

The TA-20’s evaluation in the UAE marks a strategic inflection point in regional pilot training modernization and aerospace industrialization. If adopted and locally produced, it could redefine the UAE’s role not just as a buyer, but as a builder of next-generation trainer aircraft.

Source: ©XAirForces News, 12 January 2026

Photo: TA-20 trainer aircraft UAE evaluation. The UAE is evaluating China’s TA-20 trainer aircraft as a potential replacement for Grob and Pilatus platforms, with EDGE exploring local production in partnership with Wuhu Zhongke.(Photo by ©AirForces Monthly)

Editor: Ali Gaffari (Middle Eastern ©XAirForces News Editor from Qatar, UAE and Iran)

Keywords: TA-20, UAE, trainer aircraft, Wuhu Zhongke, EDGE, pilot training, DART-450, Hamdan F3, Dubai Airshow, Wuhu Zhongke TA-20 trainer aircraft, UAE Air Force pilot training modernization, EDGE aerospace fixed-wing development, TA-20 cockpit Hermes system, Chinese CATC HTY-5 ejection seats, UAE evaluation of TA-20, replacement for Grob 115TA and Pilatus PC-7, Calidus B-250 training gap, local aircraft production UAE, TA-20 turboprop trainer specifications

Chinese TA-20 Trainer Aircraft Evaluated by UAE as Grob and Pilatus Replacement


(12.01.2026)