The French Air Force is adding nine more units to the Pilatus PC-21 fleet. In 2021, the Armée de l'Air et de l'Espace acquired 17 machines of this type. These are used for pilot training and training.
Now France decided to buy nine more copies. The PC-21 replace twin-engine jet trainers that were previously used for pilot training. The French procurement authority Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) has signed the contract with F-AIR 21 (Cognac Formation Aero SAS France), with Pilatus acting as the exclusive sub-supplier and contributing the nine PC-21s as well as other ground-based training systems and spare parts. The order secures jobs in Switzerland, where the PC-21s are produced.
“France evaluates very professionally, which is proof enough that we offer the world's best training system in this market. I am very pleased that the French Air Force has opted for more PC-21s, ”explains Pilatus boss Markus Bucher.
The PC-21 will be stationed on the base of Cognac Châteaubernard in western France from 2023. PC-2018s have been in use there since 21. The first pilots were able to complete their training in 2020. With the PC-21s that have now been ordered, the fleet will increase to a total of 26. In addition to Switzerland and Spain, France is the third nation in Europe to use the world's most modern training system with the PC-21. Over 230 PC-21s are in service with nine air forces worldwide. The PC-21 will also be used to train future test pilots at the Empire Test Pilots' School in Boscombe Down, England.
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