The Afghan Air Force (AAF) has received the first three Cessna 182 Turbo jets, which will be used as initial trainers for the undergraduate pilot training (UPT) programme.

An additional six Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft, along with MD 530 and Mi-17 helicopters, will be used as fixed-wing, follow-on trainers for the advanced follow-on training period.

The aircraft are expected to be delivered later this year.

The UPT programme is scheduled to begin in December at Shindand Air Base, which is the only training base in Afghanistan.