In Wichita, Kansas, Textron Aviation Defence announced its eighth light fighter aircraft to the Tunisian Air Force, the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II.
These new aircraft will be based and support the Tunisian Air Force pilot production at No.13 Squadron at Sfax Air Base in Tunisia.
This will inevitably increase the defence capabilities of the Northern African country.
Foreign Military Sales
Foreign Military Sales or FMS are under the United States Department of Defense procurement program, under which the Beechcraft T-6C Texan II was procured.
The eight T-6C Texan II is an advanced military training fixed-wing aircraft suitable for countries like Tunisia.
Textron will also support the in-country field service and logistic support representatives, program management support, and temporary contractor support for the first year.
This also includes the training and refining of young pilots and maintenance professionals and the supply of spare engines, spare parts, and aircraft support equipment.
Brett Pierson, president, and CEO of Textron Aviation Defense stated: “It’s an honor to celebrate the induction of the Beechcraft T-6C into Tunisian Air Force pilot production.”
The CEO added: “The world’s most advanced global air forces and pilots trust us to deliver a great aircraft that enables them to make the world a better, more secure place.”
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“Our world-class workforce goes above and beyond to design, manufacture, deliver, and support the world’s premier military flight trainer.”
“It is an honour that partner nations continue to put their confidence in the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II as the gold standard in training capabilities.”
The integration of the training system caught the attention of many people at the upper levels of the American government.
After the arrival of the first four T-6C aircraft, the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia Joey R. Hood said,
“Tunisia plays an important role in ensuring not only its own national security but also that of northern Africa and the continent as a whole.”
The Ambassador moreover, stressed the importance of the United States’ effort in supporting Tunisia’s initiative on security and developing its air force capacity.
The World and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II
The Textron-built Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is one of the world’s most effective and economical military flight trainers.
At the time of writing, the T-6 Texan aircraft has exceeded 5 million flying hours across 13 countries, and two NATO flight schools.
There are currently over 1,000 Beechcraft T-6 Texan II in operation.
The two flight training NATO schools are in Canada and the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB, Texas.
For armies and global operators of the Texan IIs are as such: the U.S. Air Force Aviation Leadership Program as well as the:
- U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard
- Hellenic Air Force
- Argentine Air Force
- Israeli Air Force
- Royal Air Force
- Iraqi Air Force
- Royal Canadian Air Force
- Mexican Navy, the Mexican Air Force
- Royal Moroccan Air Force
- Colombian Air Force
- Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Royal Thai Air Force
- Tunisian Air Force
The Texan II not only increases the ‘hard’ capabilities of an army or an air force, meaning an increase in fighting capabilities.
The aircraft does come with an economical package by offering a well-rounded integrated training system for the respective buyer.
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