The Austrian military is considering buying a new jet trainer to replace Saab 105s and also offload some Eurofighter currency training to a lower-cost platform.
No firm decision has been made yet, with an avionics upgrade to the Saab still a possibility. However, Austrian military officials suggest a new program is likely. Aircraft maintenance is an issue; the air force has 28 Saab 105s, but sometimes as few as six are ready to fly.
The goal is to field something by around 2012, says Brig. Gen Erwin Jeloschek, who heads air force matters in the general staff. The size of the procurement will be driven by the aircraft type selected.
Options range from buying used aircraft such as F-5Es to new trainers like the M-346 or Hawk. Austrian officials are reluctant to name any aircraft type they are considering for fear of it being viewed as influencing a potential competition.
Nevertheless, the Pilatus PC-21 turboprop is not being seriously considered because it could not take on the role of offloading Typhoon currency training, says Col. Roman Horak, head of the defense ministry’s training directorate.
The new aircraft also would be involved in air policing, the service’s primary role.
Austria Eyes New Jet TrainerJul 9, 2008
Robert Wall
Additionally, Austria may partner with other countries to help with pilot training.
Austria is still developing its training plan for Typhoon, which took over the quick reaction alert role this month, a mere 11 months since the aircraft was introduced in country. Eight of 15 Typhoons are now in Austria, with the rest to follow by the end of March. Full operational capability should come in about a year.
The fighters, in the Tranche 1 Block 5 configuration, are being used only for air policing, carrying IRIS-T dogfight missiles.
Moreover, Austria is looking to use the aircraft to build stronger ties with neighboring air forces. Starting in 2010, it hopes to begin hosting major air exercises to ensure interoperability and cement cooperation with others.
Photo: Austrian Armed Forces
Source
http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_channel.jsp?channel=defense&id=news/AUSTRIA070908.xml&headline=Austria%20Eyes%20New%20Jet%20Trainer
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