Spanish Air Force purchases 24 Pilatus PC-21 Trainer Aircraft
Pilatus will supply 24 PC-21 single-engine turboprop trainer aircraft to the Spanish Air Force, the company announced on 31 January.
The new trainer aircraft will replace the Casa C-101 trainers which have been in service since 1980. By using the PC-21, the air force can reduce the cost of training its pilots by up to 50%, according to Pilatus.
Since 2006, the Swiss-based company has sold the platform to nine other air forces including Australia, France, Singapore, Switzerland, and the UAE.
Chairman of Pilatus, Oscar J Schwenk said: ‘As a small Swiss aircraft manufacturer I’m delighted at our repeated success in winning through over large, international competitors. This result is proof that, with our PC-21, we can deliver the very best training system in the world.’
The contract is worth more than €200 million and will include the supply of simulators, spare parts and logistical support.
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