RBAF trains its attention on pilots

“We have already started that and there are pilots now training in the US for the F-16s,” he confirmed.
According to one source, there is already a Hawk pilot and one F-5 pilot in the US.
One problem the commander faces is that the Slingsby T-67 Fireflys, used for primary flying training, are currently grounded.
Student pilots are going to Egypt (Air Force Academy to fly Grob G 115EGs and Hongdu K-8s); Saudi Arabia (King Faisal Air Academy flying PC-9s and PC-21s); and United Arab Emirates (PC-7s and PC-21s at the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayad Air College).
The pilots returning from Egypt will go directly to F-5s but if they have flown in Saudi and the UAE they start flying the Hawk Mk129s and then F-5s.
It seems an odd way of doing things and, perhaps, buying a new primary trainer could be an option. But, according to another source, with only 20 pilots being trained a year there is no point in funding such a solution.
The commander confirmed the 12 F-5E/Fs, delivered more than 20 years ago, would be sticking around for a while.
“The F-5s are being used as a multi-role platform; one of the roles is to provide lead-in-fighter-training (LIFT) to the F-16s because they are supersonic, while they still continue to work in the air-to-ground mission.”
The first of two ex-RAF C-130Js acquired by the RBAF arrived on the eve of the show which, according to the commander: “Will be an excellent addition to the air force because it was the only shortfall we had. They will give us a great capability for exercises and, yes, Yemen operations, too.”
The first aircrews and technicians were trained in the UK, but it is believed that another new eight-man crew is working up with the Spanish Air Force.
On the threat from Iran, he said: “It is historic, they have been threatening us for a long time, not only as a country but also through militias. The GCC is doing much better to counter that threat and we are pleased the international coalition now understands the problem.”