Page 11 - ADT MAY / JULY 2024 Digital Magazine | GBP

BRIMMING WITH POTENTIAL

The military trainer aircraft market has never had it this good

By ARUN SIVASANKARAN
T he demand for increas- spawned public-private partnerships pronounced in the future.

in different regions.
ingly sophisticated military
trainer aircraft is growing
functions as a supersonic trainer
at a fast clip as countries around Providing further momentum are The T-50 Golden Eagle, which
the world invest in next generation the increase in defence budgets and light fighter, is just one of the
fighter aircraft and introduce new in the post-pandemic era and the multi-role trainers that are much in
aircraft platforms. growing realization in military circles demand. Different variants of the
that future wars will be won or lost aircraft, which has been developed
Efforts to enhance pilot skills and primarily in the air domain. Perhaps by Korea Aerospace Industries
flight readiness among air forces, the biggest reason for the expected (KAI) with Lockheed Martin, is in
triggered by the ongoing Russian growth of the market is the inclina- service with several countries,
aggression on Ukraine and simmer- tion of air forces globally to acquire including South Korea, Indonesia,
ing regional tensions, are acting multi-role trainer aircraft. Iraq, The Philippines, Thailand,
as a catalyst for the military trainer Poland and Malaysia. Among the
aircraft market that is expected to Hot Property other multi-role trainer aircraft in
reach US$17.4 Billion by 2032 at Due to the high costs involved in the market are India’s Light Combat
6.2 percent CAGR. Although North acquiring advanced 4th and 5th Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, Pakistan’s
America accounts for more than generation combat jets, militaries JF-17, Leonardo’s M-346, and the
36 percent of the global market, are keen on optimizing pilot train- Russian-made MiG-35.
there is plenty of activity happening ing budgets and are increasingly
in other regions, both in terms of leaning towards aircraft types that Indigenous Efforts
development and acquisition of new are capable of perform both training In October last year, Hindustan
trainer aircraft. The need to provide and active-duty roles. Industry ana- Aeronautics Limited (HAL) deliv-
advanced pilot training has also lysts expect the trend to be more ered the first twin-seat trainer
ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY MAY - JULY 2024 | 11