The Mexican Navy is to receive two T-6C+ military trainer aircraft from Beechcraft, the company announced.

The aircraft, to be delivered this summer, represents "the first step in modernizing the Mexican Navy's fixed-wing aviation fleet and follows a recent expansion of the Mexican Air Force training fleet to include 12 T-6C+ aircraft," it said.

The aircraft were ordered by the Mexican Navy Secretaría de Marina. No purchase price, however, was provided in the contract announcement.

A second contract for two years of parts support, training for pilots and mechanics is in the works, Beechcraft said.

"We are pleased to expand the reach of the T-6C+ to a second military fleet customer in Mexico with this initial order from the Mexican Navy," said Russ Bartlett, senior vice president, Defense. "SEMAR not only recognizes the value of a proven, reliable airframe with the T-6C+ in standing up its new training capability, but this selection also acknowledges the significant benefits our Global Mission Support team offers in providing on-the-ground service, support and training for the fielded aircraft."

The T-6C+ is a single-engine turboprop with heads-up display, up-front control panel, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite. The systems are integrated with a hands-on throttle and stick for simple interface to the digital cockpit.