Article Posted on : - Mar 24, 2014

The first M-346 for Israeli Air Force. Photo: Alenia Aermacchi

VENEGONO SUPERIORE (BNS): Italian Aerospace Company Alenia Aermacchi has rolled out the first M-346 advanced trainer for the Israeli Air and Space Force.

The delivery of the first M-346 to the Israel Air & Space Force is scheduled for summer 2014.

The advanced trainer M-346 will replace the TA-4 Skyhawk currently operated by the Israeli Air Force.

The Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) awarded the contract to supply 30 M-346 advanced jet trainer aircraft to Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, in July 2012.

The roll-out ceremony on Thursday held at Alenia Aermacchi's plant in Venegono Superiore, Italy was attended by officials from the Israeli Ministry of Defence, Israeli Air & Space Force, as well as representatives from Alenia Aermacchi and other industrial partners.

The M-346 has also been recently ordered by Poland that becomes the fourth customer of the aircraft after Italy, Singapore and Israel.

The aircraft is already in service with the Italian and the Republic of Singapore Air Forces.