Aircraft
Spain Selects PC-21 for Training Requirement
Spain’s Ejército del Aire is joining a growing group of air arms that are replacing jet trainers with high-performance turboprops.
Spain is the tenth nation to buy the PC-21, and the fourth in Europe. This aircraft is one of two flown by the UK’s ETPS. (photo: David Donald)
Spain is the tenth nation to buy the PC-21, and the fourth in Europe. This aircraft is one of two flown by the UK’s ETPS. (photo: David Donald)

Spain has selected the Pilatus PC-21 to be its next pilot trainer, and will buy 24 to replace its fleet of aging CASA C-101 jet trainers, which are due to be retired beginning in 2021. A deal worth €204.75 million ($225.5 million) was announced in late November on the government’s procurement website Plataforma de Contratacion del Sector Publico (PCSP). Payments are due to be made in three installments, comprising €71.5m in 2020, €71m in 2021, and €62.5m in 2022, and total around 10 percent less than the budget originally set aside for a new trainer.