Home Air Qatar confirmed as second military customer of Pilatus PC-24 jet

Qatar confirmed as second military customer of Pilatus PC-24 jet

Swiss Air Force PC-24
Pilatus Aircraft photo of the PC-24 in service with Swiss Air Force

The Qatar Emiri Air Force has become the second military customer for the PC-24 light jet, Swiss aircraft manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft disclosed in its annual report.

With an order for two PC-24s placed in November 2020, Qatar joined the Swiss Air Force, which has been operating a single variant of the PC-24 superlight business jet since 2019.

The deal with Qatar includes a five-year support contract to provide on-site technical assistance for the aircraft. The Qatar Emiri Air Force intends to use the PC-24 for pilot training and VIP transportation.

“Our Pilatus PC-21 trainer fleet has been the backbone of our pilot training system for the past six years. Based on this good experience, we have decided to use the PC-24 to provide advanced training to our multi-engine crews, and also for VIP transportation,” Pilatus quoted General Eisa Rashid Al-Mohannadi, Qatar Emiri Air Force Academy Commander, as saying.

PC-24 joins a range of other military aircraft procured by Qatar in recent years. The country already operates French-built Rafale fighters, and is also buying Eurofighter Typhoon jets and Boeing-built F-15QAs.

Another military highlight for Pilatus in 2020 included Spain’s order of PC-21 turboprop trainers for its air force. Starting this year, Pilatus will deliver a total of 24 PC-21s to the Spanish Air Force, the Ejército del Aire. The first PC-21 for the Spanish Air Force performed its maiden flight in December 2020.