New trainers for the Belgian Air Force
On November 5, the Belgian government announced that it had ordered 18 new training aircraft from the Swiss manufacturer Pilatus. The PC-7 MKX was chosen to replace the SIAI Marchetti SF.260, which has been in service for over 50 years. Like the Marchetti, the new trainer will be based at the Beauvechain base. It is expeceted that the first of the new aircraft will be delivered in 2027. By selecting the PC-7 MKX, Belgium joins The Netherlands and France, who have also ordered the trainer. The Belgian Air Force will ‘dry-lease’ the 18 aircraft, which means that Pilatus will also maintain them.
