Italian Air Force kicks off M-345 trainer entry to service
Based on a requirement for 45 aircraft in all, Italy has so far ordered 18 M-345 units, to support the second and third phases of pilot training, while the M-346 delivers advanced training.
Based on a requirement for 45 aircraft in all, Italy has so far ordered 18 M-345 units, to support the second and third phases of pilot training, while the M-346 delivers advanced training.
Japan’s search for a new trainer aircraft has meant that companies were keen to display their trainer aircraft solutions at DSEI Japan.
The Austrian Bundesheer announced it would buy 12 M-346FA jets in a government-to-government deal with Italy, but negotiations on cost and timing are still ongoing.
“The strength we think we bring is that [the Navy is] going to go from contract to actually starting to turn out students much quicker than any other competitors," a Textron executive told Breaking Defense.
The F-16 deal Poland sought appears dead, but Warsaw continues to entertain offers for other jets so it can send MiG-29s to Ukraine. The big question is whether they are willing to pay for them or not.