Dutch MoD selects the PC-7 Mk.X 

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has announced that they have awarded a contract to Pilatus for the delivery of eight PC-7 Mk.X aircraft plus two simulators to replace the current fleet of PC-7M trainers.

The Elementaire Militaire Vlieger Opleiding (EMVO, Elementary Military Pilot Training) has been using the PC-7 since 1988. From 2013 onwards, the aircraft underwent a service life extension and modification program with manufacturer Pilatus at Stans (Switzerland) so they could continue service into the late 2020s. Now that these aircraft are approaching the end of their technical lifespan, the Dutch MoD has selected the PC-7 Mk.X as their successor..

The new Mk.X is an improved and modernised version of the Pilatus PC-7 Mk.II. Based on the latter’s type certificate, Pilatus engineers made various upgrades to the design and some systems to ensure the success of this aircraft in providing basic training for young military pilots for years to come.

The new training aircraft must have simple, military flying characteristics for student pilots and instructors, so an advanced Lead in Fighter Trainer like the PC-21 is not an option. After the elementary training, the students are sent to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) to continue their training on the T-6 Texan II.

The final selection process for the new aircraft was between two suppliers: Pilatus and another party. The latter has filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Defence (MoD), a so-called summary proceeding. The judge must first rule in favour of the Defence. Only then can the contract with Pilatus be signed.

Credit photo: The PC-7 Mk.X prototype HB-HHH came to the Kleine Brogel airshow in September 2022. (Alex van der Goot)