The Kuwaiti air force is attempting to revitalise its near-moribund in-country pilot training with a major refurbishment effort for its British Aerospace Hawk jet trainers as well overhauling its spares-starved Shorts Tucano turboprop trainers.
None of the Kuwaitis' BAe Hawks, of which the air force has 12, is in flyable condition, according to Middle East sources. Some of the 14 Tucanos are also grounded because of a lack of spares.
In the wake of the Gulf War in 1990-1, around half of the original 12 Hawks are understood to have remained in flyable condition.
At least ten of the Hawks are planned to undergo a return to work (RTW) programme, as a precursor to reform the jet-trainer element of an in-country training programme.
The RTW scheme will focus only on returning the aircraft to their original condition, with no upgrade packages bundled into the programme.
BAe has been selected after a competition with Marshall Aerospace, Airwork and, possibly, Finavitec. Airwork already maintains the Hawk and Tucano in-country and is in talks with Kuwait about extending the contract for a further 18 months.
In recent years, the Kuwaiti air force has been reliant upon the USA to provide training for the Gulf state's Boeing F-18C/D pilots. The need to provide trainee pilots with in-country familiarisation, as well as help stem a high drop-out rate of pilots while in the USA, is pushing the air force to revamp its training capabilities.
The problems with availability of the air force's Tucanos derive from Kuwait's failure to procure an appropriate spares and support deal for the aircraft. The air force is now discussing a long-term support package for the Tucano.
As well as looking to return the Hawk and Tucano to full availability, the air force is interested in long-term training and support to meet its training requirements.
Qatar and Bahrain may be added to BAe's list of Hawk operators. The former has a requirement for up to 12 Hawk 100s, which may go to contract in 1998.
Source: Flight International
