Museveni launches Uganda’s first fighter jet simulator

President Museveni inspects a guard of honour during the commissioning of Uganda’s first flight simulator on Friday at the Air Force Base in Entebbe. PHOTO BY MARTIN SSEBUYIRA

What you need to know:

The new Sukhoi-SU-30 MK2 flight simulator will artificially recreate aircraft flight and the environment in which the jet fighters operate for pilot training.

Entebbe- President Museveni on Friday commissioned the first flight simulator in Uganda to train Sukhoi fighter jet pilots in modern air force fighting.

The new Sukhoi-SU-30 MK2 flight simulator will artificially recreate aircraft flight and the environment in which the jet fighters operate for pilot training.

“The air force budget on fuel will greatly go down because training on the jets was highly expensive because of fuel. Wear and tear of the fighter jets will also reduce because the simulator is static but can do all a pilot will do when operating the jet fighter,” Gen Samuel Turyagyenda, the UPDF Air Force Commander said.

He did not reveal the actual amount of fuel used but an air force source who refused to be quoted for fear of reprimand said the four Sukhoi jets consume about Shs900 million fuel cost per training day.

Gen Turyagyenda said the air force will now use the money saved off fuel to maintain and buy spares of the simulator.

Gen Museveni, who had earlier visited Nabugabo Beach in Masaka to witness the Sukhoi pilots try out their targets during the commissioning of the simulator, said he wants to build a strong air force. He said having a strong infantry without a strong air force is like having food without sauce.