Chilean's T-40 Newen
The Chilean Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica de Chile (ENAER) officially presented the T-40 Newen on 7 April 2026. The Fuerza Aérea de Chile (FACh, Chilean Air Force) stated that a total of 33 aircraft will be required, if the investment gets approved.
Of course the successor to the company's T-35 Pillán, of which 143 were built and which also achieved export succes, had been disclosed earlier. Initially known as the T-35 Pillán II, the protoype first appeared In December 2024 carrying the designation X-201. In October 2025, its new name was coined. It has now been presented with the serial number 160 and FACh markings.
The new aircraft is intended to replace the T-35 as the primary trainer in FACh service. A total 48 were originally delivered, with the remaining fleet upgraded to T-35A1 standard from 1989 onwards. These aircraft are in use with the Escuela de Aviación 'Capitan Manuel Avalos Prado' (flight school) at El Bosque, Santiago de Chile. Notably, this location also hosts the manufacturer’s facilities, where the roll-out of the new T-40 took place.
The T-40 will of course be one of the stars at this year's edition of the trade show Feria Internacional del Aire y del Espacio, FIDAE 2026.
Credit photo: ENAER