Belgium Orders Pilatus PC-7 MKX Trainers for Air Force Pilot Training
Belgium Joins European Leaders with PC-7 MKX Training Aircraft Order
The Belgian government has made a significant investment in pilot training capabilities with an order for 18 Pilatus PC-7 MKX training aircraft, establishing Belgium as the third European air force to adopt the Swiss manufacturer’s advanced trainer system. The order, approved on November 27, 2025, includes a comprehensive 20-year service contract with Pilatus.
This strategic acquisition underscores Belgium’s commitment to modernizing its military aviation training infrastructure. The order encompasses not just aircraft but an integrated training ecosystem, including flight simulators, computer-based training platforms, mission planning systems, and comprehensive debriefing tools designed to optimize pilot development.
Markus Bucher, CEO of Pilatus, expressed confidence in the partnership: “We are proud to welcome Belgian Defense as a new Pilatus customer and the third European air force to select the PC-7 MKX. This milestone reinforces the trust placed in our training systems and highlights our commitment to supporting air forces globally with state-of-the-art solutions.”
Deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled to commence in 2027, with pilot training operations beginning in 2028 following infrastructure setup and instructor certification. Pilatus will collaborate with Belgian partners Sabena Engineering and AG Real Estate to provide upgraded facilities at Beauvechain Air Base, ensuring modern training infrastructure meets the aircraft’s capabilities.
The PC-7 MKX represents the latest evolution in military trainer design. The aircraft features an upgraded cockpit equipped with three high-definition displays, providing pilots with modern avionics and improved situational awareness. A critical safety enhancement comes through Martin-Baker Mk11A ejection seats, enabling earlier instruction in emergency procedures during basic training phases.
Belgium’s decision aligns it with the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force and the French Air and Space Force, both of which selected the PC-7 MKX training system in late 2024. This European convergence on a single trainer platform creates operational interoperability advantages and streamlines pilot training standards across allied nations.
The PC-7 MKX, introduced at the Dubai Airshow in November 2021, has gained international recognition as a cost-effective advanced trainer that bridges the gap between basic instruction and advanced fast-jet training. The platform’s selection by multiple European air forces demonstrates confidence in Pilatus’s design philosophy and support capabilities.
This order represents a substantial commitment to Belgium’s defense training infrastructure, with long-term implications for pilot readiness and operational effectiveness across the Belgian Air Force.
Source ID: SRCE-2025-1764334846422-1010