February 03, 2013: In a major fillip to strained training regimes, the IAF has just received the first lot of its brand new Pilatus PC-7 MkII basic stage-1 trainer aircraft. The aircraft arrived yesterday at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal near Hyderabad. The first batch of aircraft (of a total of 75 ordered by the IAF) were ferried in by Swiss pilots and received at Air Force Academy by Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Marshal Rajinder Singh PVSM AVSM VM and Commandant AFA, Air Marshal RG Burli VM. In a statement, the IAF said, "With the induction of the 'PC-7 MkII' aircraft, the IAF will be able to meet the long standing need of having a basic trainer aircraft post grounding of HPT-32 in July 2009."

A deal was signed with Swiss firm Pilatus in May last year for 75 PC-7 MkII basic propeller trainer aircraft, making this a record delivery of less than nine months. The IAF order is the largest that Pilatus has ever serviced. The contract includes 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, according to Pilatus.

"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. 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," according to Pilatus.

Pilatus will now assist with 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. Pilatus has also entered into a separate off-set contract with the Government of India for 30 per cent of the value of this contract.