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Swiss aircraft manufacturer likely to win $700 million IAF contract

May 7, 2012 at 18:07

Sahil

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Pilatus Aircraft Ltd., the Switzerland based aircraft manufacturer is close to finalizing a Rs.2900 crore ($700 million) deal for the supply of basic jet trainers for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Indian sources suggest that the IAF is likely to purchase a total of 75 Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II Turbo Trainer aircraft in the first phase. Pilatus is confident of extending the contract for another 175 aircraft.

There was fierce competition during the bidding process, when the Korea Aerospace Industries’ KAI KT-1 Woongbi gave the Mk-II a run for its money. However the high initial cost and maintenance fees turned the tables against the Korean aircraft. The scene turned ugly soon afterwards, when the Koreans claimed that the Indian defence officials have taken kickbacks to grant the contract to the Swiss company.

A number of aircrafts are likely to be manufactured by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), an Indian Government owned aeronautics firm. The IAF is currently facing a lot of trouble in training rookie pilots, as there are no basic trainer aircrafts available. The upcoming pilots are made to undergo training in the intermediate training aircrafts (such as HAL Kiran) directly, rather than first allowing them to learn the basics and then make the gradual transformation. According to the IAF sources, the first delivery of the Mk-II will occur in 2013.

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