Botswana Defence Force selects PC-7 MKII

Pilatus Aircraft released that the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) selected the PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft to replace their Pilatus PC-7 fleet which has been in service since 1990. The contract value is approximately 40 million Swiss Francs to procure a fleet of 5 PC-7 MkII turboprop trainer aircraft, with ground based training system including computer based training, spares, support equipment, as well as pilot and technician conversion training elements. The contract was signed in Gaborone on 13 April 2011. Delivery of the aircraft, ground based training system and logistic support package is scheduled to be completed in early 2013, enabling the BDF pilot training to transition to the new PC-7 MkII platform during 2013.