The Australian Defence Force competitively tendered for a new pilot training system under ‘Project Air 5428’, from which the PC-21 emerged as the winner after a thorough evaluation and contract negotiations. This package will harmonise training across all three services with the PC-21 providing a modern, cost-effective training system for basic and advanced pilot training.

Oscar J. Schwenk, Chairman of Pilatus, commented: “We are delighted that after 28 years of Pilatus PC-9 operations the Commonwealth of Australia has chosen to endorse our reputation for providing world-class training systems with this new contract. I am equally happy that Team 21 won the deal against all international competitors and that, in the final round, the Australian Defence Force has chosen the Pilatus PC-21 over all other aircraft – once Pilatus, always Pilatus!”

The PC-21 is a proven and efficient training system which is already operating in Australia. The PC-21 has been in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia since 2008 and is also operated by the Air Forces of Switzerland, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. With this latest order 180 aircraft have been sold and Australia is now the sixth country to revolutionise their pilot training with the PC-21.

The PC-21s for Australia will be delivered commencing June 2017 and will form the backbone of future pilot training for the Australian Defence Force for the next 25 years. Pilatus will continue to provide the ADF with premium Swiss quality and work with our partners to provide a world-class training system – the Pilatus PC-21.