ENAER’s new turboprop aircraft was presented in Santiago and could mark the beginning of a new phase in the training of Chilean military pilots.
Chile officially unveiled the T-40 Newen, its new military training aircraft, during a ceremony held at El Bosque Air Base in Santiago on April 7, 2026. Developed by ENAER, the model arrives to fill a strategic role in the country’s military aviation sector and pave the way for the replacement of the veteran T-35 Pillán.
The new turboprop aircraft represents more than a simple fleet update. The T-40 Newen emerges as a symbol of renewal for the Chilean Air Force, which is seeking to modernize the initial stage of pilot training with a more up-to-date national platform aligned with the demands of contemporary military instruction.
The prototype’s first flight, designated X-201, took place in December 2024, but it was in October 2025 that the aircraft officially received the name Newen, a term of Mapuche origin meaning “strength”. The example now presented, bearing serial number 160, has already been displayed with Chilean Air Force insignia, reinforcing the program’s concrete progress.
Expectations are high. The Chilean Air Force itself has confirmed the need for 33 new aircraft, should the necessary funding be released. At present, the country still operates 48 T-35s, upgraded to the T-35A1 standard, but the new T-40 is expected to take the lead as the main primary training platform.
The move also marks an important turning point for Chile’s aerospace industry. The T-35 Pillán, which entered service in the 1980s, built a solid track record and became one of the region’s best-known military trainers, with exports to Panama, Paraguay, and the Dominican Republic. Now, the T-40 Newen aims to carry that legacy into a new generation.
The model’s public debut before a wider audience will take place at FIDAE 2026 in Santiago, where the aircraft is expected to gain even greater visibility among authorities, operators, and companies in the defense sector. The presentation reinforces Chile’s ambition to maintain its own capability in military aircraft development and to renew its pilot training structure with a national project.
If the plan moves forward as expected, the T-40 Newen could become the new face of Chilean military instruction and gradually bring the long Pillán era to a close.
Source and images: ENAER. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
