Pilatus to supply PC-21s for French and Jordanian Air Forces
The French Air Force (Armée de l'air française) has opted for the 21st century training system - the 17 PC-21s - will be used to train future military pilots who will transfer to the Alpha Jet prior to their conversion on to the Dassault Rafale, a multi-purpose 5th generation fighter aircraft, a Pilatus statement said.
The contract signed on 30th December 2016 by the French Air Force is with Babcock Mission Critical Services France (BMCSF), with Pilatus as a sub-contractor, in which role the PC-21 and other ground-based training material will contribute to completion of the overall contract.
The Royal Jordanian Air Force, which had initially placed an order for PC-9 M in August 2015, re-evaluated their requirement in early 2016. The procurement decision was revised following a modification of the training concept, introducing the PC-21 all-through training model.
The contract amendment was initially for eight aircraft but with an option for additional units, if required. The option was now executed for two more PC-21s’, with a total of ten PC-21s’ now providing the backbone of the nation's future pilot training regime. The first deliveries will be undertaken mid-2017, it added.
