Chile’s Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh) and Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica (ENAER) presented the T-40 Newen, a new basic training aircraft designed to replace the T-35 Pillán that has served since the 1980s. The unveiling occurred at Base Aérea El Bosque, attended by President José Antonio Kast, FACh Commander General del Aire Hugo Rodríguez, and Defense Minister Fernando Barros.
The program calls for 33 aircraft as part of an integrated instruction system featuring virtual reality simulators, mission planning stations, in-flight tracking, and advanced debriefing tools. These elements aim to bridge basic training with advanced combat aircraft operations. The T-40 Newen incorporates modern avionics for precise student performance evaluation, new wing design, extensive carbon fiber fuselage, and improved power-to-weight ratio for enhanced reliability and low operating costs.
FACh confirmed the acquisition of the 33 units at the end of 2025. The displayed prototype 00 will undergo structural testing abroad, possibly in the US or Brazil, with first flight by prototype 01 expected next year and series production in 2027. ENAER plans a higher-performance turboprop follow-on in 2026 and a dual-use unmanned aircraft.
The project emphasizes national engineering, technicians, and suppliers to build technological autonomy and local logistics support.