Pilatus flies first PC-7 MKX military trainer for the Netherlands

Pilatus has flown the first PC-7 MKX basic trainer, a lead production aircraft for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The single-engined turboprop took off from the manufacturer's Stans site on 7 September. It will later carry the registration L-001 and is the first of eight aircraft the Netherlands has ordered.

The MKX replaces the Dutch air force's aging baseline PC-7 fleet. The order package takes in four simulators and related equipment. The Netherlands defence ministry says the new trainer better matches the modern fighter jets and other aircraft pilots will later operate. A Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engine powers it.

Deliveries to the Netherlands start next May. The customer expects all eight aircraft and ground-based training devices to be handed over by September 2027. Pilatus won the MKX contract from the Netherlands in February 2025 and has since added France and Belgium as customers, for 22 and 18 aircraft respectively.