Switzerland and Spain’s trade connections strengthen as the Spanish Air Force purchase familiar Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft. The Spanish Air Force is seeking to acquire an additional 16 PC-21s in its third round of procurement from Pilatus, following previous orders in 2020 and 2022.
These PC-21 training aircraft will be delivered to various locations in Spain for the training of fighter pilots. A total of 14 PC-21s will be sent to the Academia General del Aire (AGA) in San Javier. The package also includes a PC-21 simulator, two cockpit procedure trainers, additional mission planning and debriefing systems, and pilot training software. Two more PC-21s will be delivered to the Centro Logistico de Armamento y Experimentacion (CLAEX) for experimental, training, and research and development activities.
Designed and developed specifically for trainee pilots, the Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft provides a cost-effective and highly efficient training solution for air forces. The second batch of 16 PC-21 trainers from Pilatus Aircraft for the Spanish Ministry of Defence costs €240 million. The training for future fighter pilots commenced in the summer of 2022. This agreement positions Spain as the largest PC-21 operator in Europe.
According to a GlobalData report, Switzerland accounts for 11.4% of Spain’s defense imports, even though re-exporting its military hardware is not possible. Based on GlobalData’s “Swiss Defense Market Data 2022-2027,” several countries including France, Spain, Ireland, Thailand, Jordan, and Australia have procured multiple units in recent years.
Lieutenant Colonel Ildefonso Martínez-Pardo González, AGA air operations group commander, stated, “Having been in use with the Spanish Air and Space Force for over 18 months, the PC-21 integrated training system has far exceeded our expectations. “Its reliable and efficient powerplant, aerodynamics, safety systems, and avionics make the PC-21 an extremely versatile trainer capable of handling all phases of flight training, from basic to advanced.” In 2018, the French Air Force delivered two Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft to its Cognac Chateaubernard Air Base.