Contract Awarded to Enhance Royal Saudi Air Force Training Capability

Following agreement between the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, under the Saudi British Defence Co-operation Programme, we have been awarded a contract for £1.6bn (equivalent) to support the future aircrew training requirements of the Royal Saudi Air Force.

The contract, aimed at meeting the growing demands of a world-class Air Force, covers the provision of equipment and training devices such as aircraft simulators, training aids and aircraft on which to train aircrew.

Included within this requirement is the supply of 55 Pilatus PC-21 aircraft to fulfil the basic training role and 22 BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, which will be used to fulfil the fast jet training part of the syllabus.

We will also provide an initial support package including the provision of spares, technical publications and post design support.

Commenting on the announcement Guy Griffiths, Group Managing Director International said: “We are honoured that BAE Systems has been awarded this contract to provide the Royal Saudi Air Force with aircraft and training equipment to meet their future aircrew training needs. We have a long history in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and working with Pilatus, we will provide the RSAF with the best training platforms to meet their requirements.

‘Through the Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer, the trainee fast jet pilots will have access to the very latest in advanced simulation for radar, weapons and defensive aids training to enable a smooth transition to front line aircraft, including Typhoon.”

Deliveries of the Pilatus PC-21, manufactured in Switzerland, will commence in 2014. The UK built Hawk aircraft will be delivered from 2016. (ends)


UK and Saudi Arabia Agree Deal On Officer and Aircrew Training:

The United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia have reached agreement for the UK to support a programme that will provide the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) with cutting-edge officer and aircrew training.

The UK will provide the capability required, in particular to support the introduction and operation of its growing fleet of fourth generation Typhoon fighter aircraft. The advanced aircrew training capability introduced by this programme is designed to result in the standard of graduating students being higher in terms of both capability and readiness.

Under the agreement, the RSAF will receive 22 BAE Systems Hawk Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT), 55 PC-21 advanced turboprop trainers, 25 primary training aircraft, and a variety of advanced aircrew training devices, upgraded training facilities, and initial spares support.

Hawk AJT will eventually replace the RSAF's current fleet of Hawk Mark 65/65a trainers, reflecting the Saudi Arabian Government's confidence, both in the outstanding capabilities of the Hawk family of advanced jet trainers and the UK's ability to continue to meet Saudi Arabia's legitimate defence requirements.

The UK Government warmly welcomes the Saudi Arabian Government's decision to confirm UK support for its officer and aircrew training requirements.


Source: BAE Systems & UK Ministry of Defence; issued May 23, 2012

Photo Story: The Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force Pilatus PC-21 Training Aircraft (Photo by Pilatus)

Pilatus announces record-breaking order.

Pilatus Aircraft Ltd has announced the biggest order in the company’s history – a contract with BAE Systems to supply the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) with a fleet of 55 Pilatus PC-21 turboprop aircraft, together with an integrated ground based training system and comprehensive logistics support package.

Deliveries of the aircraft, ground based training systems, and logistics support package are scheduled to begin in 2014. The aircraft will provide basic flight training in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to the RSAF and will replace the PC-9 with the state-of-the-art PC-21 in the shortest possible time.

It has been 25 years since the initial batch of Pilatus PC-9 training aircraft were delivered to the RSAF under an agreement with BAE Systems. The RSAF has selected the PC-21 aircraft and ground based training system following a thorough evaluation in Stans, Switzerland, and under hot weather conditions in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia becomes the fourth country to purchase the PC-21, following Switzerland, Singapore, and the UAE.

(23.05.2012)