Pilatus Aircraft Ltd announced that the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has awarded a contract to Pilatus for the procurement of a complete PC-21 Training System, consisting of a fleet of 24 PC-21 trainer aircraft, a suite of Ground Based Training System assets and an extensive logistics support and maintenance package.

The QEAF selected the PC-21 as their fixed wing basic and advanced training aircraft, after a thorough evaluation both in Switzerland and in Qatar. The PC-21 was deemed to be the very best aircraft and Training System of all options available on the market today. The PC-21 will support the training of their young aviators in the newly established Air Force Academy in Qatar.

The QEAF Air Academy will receive their first aircraft in the middle of 2014 and training will start mid-2015. Operations will be directly supported by Pilatus under a long-term performance based support contract.