Finally the long wait of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a modern basic trainer is over as it has signed a deal to purchase 75 Swiss Pilatus PC-7 MkII aircraft at the cost of $ 650 million.
It is a great shot in the arm for the IAF, grappling with the lack of a basic trainer since June 2009
when its entire fleet of initial trainer HPT-32s was grounded following over
100 engine failures and crashes.
The deal has been much delayed following objections from the South Korean contender that lost the contract. The IAF had zeroed in on the aircraft by 2011
The acquisition of the 75 Pilatus aircraft has become “critical”
for the IAF that has been facing flak from the Comptroller and Auditor General
(CAG) for its faulty training process resulting in shortage of pilots. The first
of the aircraft will be delivered 24 months after signing of the contract.
The Swiss firm has agreed to supply the first of the aircraft within 15 months from the signing of the deal. Initially, IAF's instructors will go to Switzerland for their training to expedite the induction of the aircraft into the force.
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