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Botswana buys Swiss trainers

STANS, Switzerland, April 25 (UPI) -- The Botswana military is buying PC-7 MK II turboprop trainer aircraft from Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. of Switzerland.

The contract for five the aircraft is worth about $45.1 million.

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Pilatus Aircraft said the new trainers, which will replace the Pilatus PC-7 fleet used by the Southern African country since 1990, will be delivered in 2013.

"The decision confirms the continued trust that the Botswana (military) has in Pilatus and the Pilatus aircraft as a training system," the company said. "Once Pilatus, always Pilatus."

Pilatus said the contract with the Botswana military includes a ground-based training system, spares and support equipment.

Pilot and technician conversion training elements are also featured in the contract, which was signed this month in Gaborone, Botswana's capital.

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 Mk II platform during 2013.

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