Netherlands' Pilatus Trainer Aircraft Purchase Held up As Rival Files Court Case

Despite having selected Pilatus trainer Aircraft, the Netherlands cannot award a contract to the Swiss firm as a rival manufacturer has filed a lawsuit against the Dutch Ministry of Defense (MoD) protesting the selection.

The Dutch MoD is purchasing 8 new training aircraft and 2 flight simulators to replace the 13 Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft it had acquired in 2008 which are reaching the end of their technical lifespan, State Secretary Gijs Tuinman reported this to the House of Representatives on October 14, according to a Dutch MoD press release.

While the Swiss company Pilatus has been provisionally awarded the contract to replace the PC-7 with new model aircraft, the losing party of the tender has filed a lawsuit against the Dutch MoD, a so-called summary proceeding. The judge must first rule in favour of the MoD before the contract can be signed.

While the model of Pilatus selected by the Dutch MoD was not specified in the press release, it is most likely to be the PC-7 MKX released in 2021 or the PC-21 models which are in service with the French and Spanish air Force.