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Pilatus Pursues F-35-Focused PC-21 Training System Upgrade

pilatus pc-21

Pilatus PC-21.

Credit: Pilatus Aircraft

Pilatus Aircraft says it has struck an agreement with Lockheed Martin to pursue an F-35-focused upgrade to the training system built around its PC-21.

The deal, announced March 25, will see the U.S. aircraft-maker furnish Pilatus data and unspecified other support for the training system.

The agreement is part of Lockheed Martin’s offset requirements to Switzerland to which the company agreed as part of Bern’s decision in 2022 to buy 36 F-35s. Lockheed Martin has said the total offsets to Switzerland would equal 60% of the F-35 contract value. 

“This industrial cooperation makes a significant contribution to strengthening our security-relevant technology and industry base,” Urs Loher, director of Armasuisse, Bern's defense procurement organization, said in a statement.

Robert Wall

Robert Wall is Executive Editor for Defense and Space. Based in London, he directs a team of military and space journalists across the U.S., Europe and Asia-Pacific.