Indian Air Force Orders 75 Pilatus PC-7 MK II Aircraft for Basic Flight Training

Released on Thursday, May 24, 2012

 

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is proud to announce that the Indian Air Force has entered

today into a contract in excess of 500 Million Swiss Francs to procure a fleet

of 75 PC-7 MkII turboprop aircraft, together with an integrated ground based

training system and a comprehensive logistics support package. The contract

also contains an option clause for extending the scope of this contract within

three years from initial signature and we are optimistic that this will indeed be

executed.

The Indian Air Force joins more than 30 other countries to modernise its training

pipeline with the most modern, capable and cost effective system for Basic

Flying Training on the market today. The Indian Air Force is the fourth largest air

force in the world with approximately 170,000 personnel and 1,500 aircraft

operating from more than 60 air bases. This contract will extend the fleet of

Pilatus turboprop trainers to more than 900 aircraft operating worldwide.

Delivery of the aircraft and the complete training system is scheduled to

commence in Q4 2012. The decision to select the PC-7 MkII training system

was made after a thorough evaluation by the Indian Air Force, which looked at

all available options. Pilatus Aircraft Ltd views this contract for the Indian Air

Force as a major success and believes it will encourage other forces to take a

close look at our pilot training solution.

Coupled to this award will be the establishment of in-country depot level

maintenance capabilities, which includes the required transfer of technology to

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), enabling in-country maintenance of the

platform throughout its service life of over 30 years. Hindustan Aeronautics

Limited (HAL) was established in 1940 with the Government of India as primary

shareholder, having approximately 35,000 employees based at eight sites

across India.

Pilatus has also entered into a separate off-set contract with the Government of

India for 30% of the value of this contract and we view this as a major

opportunity. Pilatus has significant confidence in the Indian Defence market with

its highly skilled workforce and it is our intention to leverage the offset

opportunity to establish manufacturing capability for the region in support of our

business plans for India.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is committed to serving the Indian Air Force with its world

renowned dedication to Swiss precision and quality, through delivering and

supporting the most advanced Basic Flight Training turboprop trainer aircraft in

the world – the Pilatus PC-7 MkII.

 

Source: INDIAN AIR FORCE SELECTS PILATUS PC-7 MKII TRAINING SYSTEM FOR BASIC FLIGHT TRAINING