The Latvian Air Force has received two Tarragon twin-seater trainer aircraft at the Ādaži airfield, the Latvian Ministry of Defence announced.
Developed by SIA Pelegrin, the planes will be the first trainer units flown by air force trainee pilots and crew.
The two aircraft are expected to maintain pilot qualifications and support operational tasks such as ground force missions.
“Thanks to the cooperation between the defense industry and the military industry, not only the automobile industry has been revived in Latvia, but also the production of airplanes,” Latvian Defence Minister Artis Pabriks said during the handover.
Locally-Made Trainers
Pelegrin’s Tarragon is an ultralight aircraft with a maximum speed of 370 kilometers (230 miles) per hour and a maximum altitude of 3.5 kilometers (2.17 miles).
The plane has a landing distance of 150 meters (492 feet) and a minimum take-off of 225 meters (738 feet).
According to the defense ministry, the development of the Tarragons involved efforts to support domestic firms and research institutions while meeting the capability requirements of the National Armed Forces.
“We can be proud of what our craftsmen have done, following in the footsteps of the legendary constructor Kārlis Irbīte – many countries around the world are already showing interest in the models produced by the company,” Parbriks added.