>>> Singapore evaluates next trainer-jet
by Derek Yeo-SINGAPORE-Tue 11 Jul 2006


COUNTRIES in South-east Asia and farther afield eagerly awaits Singapore's next choice of its basic fixed-wing trainer-aircraft. The city-state's selection will be a bench-mark for other customers to evaluate the various contenders.

Prospective customers such as Thailand, the Philippines, Turkey and Chile are also considering replacements for their ageing air force training jets.

Currently, four contenders: Raytheon T-6B, Aermacchi M-311, Pilatus PC-21 and Embraer Super Tucano, are in the race for the Singapore procurement.

Interestingly, the Aermacchi M-311 (see photo) has a Singapore link. Its predecessor, the Marchetti S-211, is reaching the end of its long service in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The S211, despite its poor sales in the fixed-wing jet-trainer market, has served RSAF creditably and fulfilled its training role.

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