New Pillán training aircraft

On 26 October 2022, Chile's Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica (ENAER) presented its plans for the design and production of a successor to the ECH-51 (T-35) Pillán, dubbed the Pillán II.

The Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force) has stated it will acquire 33 of these new trainers to replace the T-35s currently remaining in service.

The design of the aircraft is based on the proven concept of its predecessor, however it will be made of composite materials and will feature a glass cockpit. After the design phase, the prototype will be built and is expected to make its first flight in 2025.

If all goes according to plan, the first delivery to FACh will take place in 2027 and deliveries will be concluded in 2030. Also, ENAER will try to interest other countries, both T-35 and non-T-35 users, to buy the Pillán II. Current T-35 users are, next to Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala (all stored), Panama, Paraguay and Spain.

According to the Scramble Magazine database, the FACh still operates 37 T-35A and T-35B Pillán trainers out of 48 originally delivered, although six Pilláns have not been reported since 2015.

Image via ENAER