First M-346 aircraft for the Polish Air Force unveiled by Polish Deputy Defence Minister

The roll-out ceremony for the first of eight Polish Air Force M-346 aircraft took place today at Leonardo-Finmeccanica’s facility inVenegono-Superiore (near Varese). The event was attended by thePolish Deputy Defense Minister, Bartosz Kownacki, the State Under Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Gioacchino Alfano, and by theManaging Director of Leonardo-Finmeccanica Aircraft, Filippo Bagnato.

Mauro Moretti, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo-Finmeccanica said: “Leonardo-Finmeccanica is the only company in the world able to offer a complete technological solution that reduces pilot training times and prepares them to fly sophisticated, new-generation military aircraft. Today, many countries are turning their attention to integrated training systems that include both aircraft and ground-based simulation systems. These capabilities already have a proven track record at the Italian Air Force’s training centre in Galatina (near Lecce) where 11 NATO and Allied Air Forces are trained; pilots obtain their licences via systems and aircraft built by Leonardo-Finmeccanica.”

The first of 8 Aermacchi M-346 advanced trainers ordered by Poland in 2014 will now undergo a flight test programme to certify bespoke systems chosen by the Polish Air Force such as the brake parachute. It will then be delivered to the customer by the end of the year along with a second aircraft. Deliveries will be completed by November 2017.

- ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW -

The M-346s will enter into service with the 4th Training Wing Squadron at Poland’s Deblin base. With the M-346, the base aims to become an international hub for the training of military pilots.

The M-346 has been ordered by the Air Forces of Italy (18), Singapore (12), Israel (30) and Poland (8) for a total of 68 orders.

www.leonardocompany.com

original_M346_PL_03_g original_M346_PL_04_g

If you would like to show your support for what we are doing, here's where to do it.

If you wish to report grammatical or factual errors within our news articles, you can let us know by using the online feedback form.

Executive Editor

About author:

Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov
Dylan Malyasov is the editor-in-chief of Defence Blog. He is a journalist, an accredited defense advisor, and a consultant. His background as a defense advisor and consultant adds a unique perspective to his journalistic endeavors, ensuring that his reporting is well-informed and authoritative. read more

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

TRENDING NOW