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Pilots of the Indian Air Force are set to get the latest Swiss-made aircraft to hone their skills through training and flying.
Manufactured by Pilatus, the Swiss aviation major, a batch of 10 Pilatus PC-7 aircraft are ready for operation. The induction ceremony is slated for Friday at the air force station Dundigal on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
The Union Minister of State for Defence Jitendra Singh and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal N.A.K. Browne will be present at the ceremony, according to an official release. Ambassador of Switzerland Linus Van Caftermur and Vice-President of Pilatus Company Jim Roche will also be present on the occasion.
The Pilatus PC-7 aircraft will be the basic trainer for the new pilots. This aircraft is operated for flying training by many modern Air forces across the world. India has contracted for the delivery of seventy five aeroplanes, ten of which have already arrived at the Air Force Academy.
The IAF had placed an order to procure 75 trainer aircraft at a deal worth Rs 2,800 crore from the Swiss company. The first of the trainer aircraft arrived in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in early February. The fleet is expected to help IAF replace its basic trainer aircraft, HPT-32 in a phased manner.
Training system
Pilatus has also committed to provide an integrated ground-based training system and a comprehensive logistics support package along with the aircraft as per agreement. The transfer of technology will be made to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd for maintenance of the fleet. A 30 per cent defence offset clause is also part of the deal.
The induction ceremony will showcase the PC-7 Mk II in a formation display and will be commemorated with an unveiling of the aircraft by the Defence Minister followed by a water gun salute to the aircraft. The in-use trainer aircraft such as the Chetak, Kiran and Hawk aircraft will fly past to welcome the PC-7 into the Academy.
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