Subaru Showcases UH-2 Mock-up, T-5 Trainer and UAV Concept at DSEI Japan 2025

Our Bureau - : May 22, 2025 - : 4:08 am

Subaru Corporation is presenting its latest defence aviation offerings at DSEI Japan 2025, with a strong focus on safety, reliability, and operational readiness. At the centre of the company’s exhibit is a full-scale mock-up of the UH-2 military utility helicopter's passenger and crew cabin, providing visitors with a detailed look at the aircraft's internal configuration and ergonomic layout.

Developed as a twin-engine platform, the UH-2 is designed to meet demanding mission requirements across a variety of environments. Subaru is highlighting key safety and survivability features, including a 30-minute dry run capability, a damage-tolerant airframe structure, and a crash-resistant fuel system. The aircraft also incorporates dual cockpit controls and either duplicated or isolated systems for critical flight components, further enhancing its resilience in combat and emergency scenarios.

The UH-2, developed in partnership with Bell Helicopter and based on the Bell 412 platform, is being introduced as a versatile and dependable solution for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force's rotary-wing transport needs.

Alongside the UH-2 mock-up, Subaru is also showcasing its proven Fuji T-5 turboprop trainer aircraft. The T-5, known within the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as the KM-2Kai, has served as the primary fixed-wing trainer since the late 1980s. It was developed from the Fuji KM-2 and is used both for basic pilot training and tactical skills enhancement.

The trainer features an all-metal low-wing design with dual side-by-side seating and dual controls. Powered by a Rolls-Royce M250-B17D turboprop engine delivering 350 shaft horsepower, it is equipped with a Hartzell three-blade propeller. The T-5 can reach a maximum speed of 193 knots (357 km/h) at 2,438 metres, with takeoff and landing distances of 430 metres and 515 metres respectively.

In September last year, the JMSDF awarded Subaru a 7.6-billion-yen (approximately USD 53 million) contract to produce 30 new T-5 aircraft. The procurement is scheduled to run from 2024 to 2034. To reduce acquisition costs, the Japanese government will provide engines and other key components separately. The acquisition aims to ensure that the JMSDF retains the training capacity necessary for future generations of naval aviators.

In addition to its manned aircraft displays, Subaru’s booth also features a conceptual model of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). While the company has not yet confirmed whether this concept will advance to development, its inclusion hints at a broader ambition to explore the unmanned systems domain.