Switzerland and Spain’s export connections strengthen as the Spanish Air Force purchases what they are familiar with—the Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft.
The Spanish Air Force is seeking to buy an additional 16 PC-21s in its third procurement round with Pilatus, following previous orders in 2020 and 2022. These Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft will be delivered to various locations in order to train Spanish 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.
The Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft is specifically designed and developed for student pilots, providing 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 has a price tag of €240 million euros. Future fighter pilot training began in the summer of 2022.
With this contract, Spain becomes the largest PC-21 operator in Europe. According to a report by GlobalData, Switzerland accounts for 11.4% of Spain’s defense imports, even though its military hardware cannot be re-exported.
GlobalData’s “Swiss Defense Market Data 2022-2027” reveals that several countries, including France, Spain, Ireland, Thailand, Jordan, and Australia, have procured multiple units in recent years.
Lieutenant Colonel Ildefonso Martínez-Pardo González, the AGA air operations group commander, stated, “After being in use with the Spanish Air and Space Force for over 18 months, the PC-21 integrated training system has surpassed our expectations. Its dependable and efficient powerplant, aerodynamics, safety systems, and avionics make the PC-21 an incredibly versatile trainer capable of handling all phases of flight training, from the basic to the advanced.”
In 2018, the French Air Force delivered two Pilatus PC-21 training aircraft to its Cognac Chateaubernard Air Base.