Dominican Air Force Receives Seven Spanish-Made T-35C Training Planes

After a long journey of over 4,000 nautical miles from the Bay of Cádiz to Santo Domingo, the seven ENAER E.26/T-35C Tamiz training aircraft, acquired by the Dominican Republic's Air Force (FARD) from the Spanish Air and Space Force, are now fully operational in Dominican skies. These aircraft were originally purchased by Spain between 1987 and 1999 from the Chilean company ENAER and, after being retired in 2023, were sold to the FARD for 980,000 euros. The agreement also includes spare parts and training for technical personnel.

The arrival of the E.26 aircraft significantly strengthens the Dominican fleet, which was already operating three T-35B aircraft. These new planes, assigned to the "Dragons" Combat Squadron, will be used both for pilot training and for border surveillance and patrol missions.

Additionally, the FARD has inaugurated new facilities at the San Isidro Air Base, including a new hangar to house the T-36B aircraft, a flight simulator, and a building for the Air Intelligence School. Over the last two years, the Dominican Republic's Air Force has significantly expanded its fleet with the acquisition of helicopters, planes, and state-of-the-art radars, enhancing its operational capabilities and responsiveness to threats.

The T-35C Tamiz, which served for over three decades at Spain's General Air Academy, is the latest version of the Chilean Pillán model, still in service in several Latin American countries. The newly acquired aircraft will join the existing T-35B fleet that has been operating in the country for years, thus providing the FARD with extended and modernized capabilities.