New PC-21 system for Spanish Air Force

The Spanish Air Force has bought the PC-21 Training System, including 24 Aircraft.  The single-engine turboprop trainer aircraft will replace the Casa C-101 jet trainers used since 1980.

The Ministry of Defence was looking for a new, highly efficient training platform to provide advanced training for Spain’s future military pilots tasked with protecting future generations. After a forensic evaluation, Pilatus beat several prestigious competitors to win the tender with the PC-21. The contract is worth over 200 million euros.

Comprising an integrated training system, the order includes simulators developed and produced by Pilatus, spare parts and logistics support in addition to the PC-21 aircraft.

The Spanish Air Force, Ejército del Aire, is the third European air force to opt for the Swiss-produced PC-21.

"As a small Swiss aircraft manufacturer I’m delighted at our repeated success in winning through over large, international competitors," said Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus.

Pilatus said its customers had shown PC-21 could reduce the cost of training a military pilot by over 50 percent. These single-engine turboprop aircraft require much less fuel than any comparable jet trainer.

Pilatus said it developed the PC-21 Training System to ensure an affordable product to match customer defined performance criteria.

Since 2006, Pilatus has already sold 235 PC-21s to nine air forces. These include Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, France and Australia.