DTN News: Singapore Selected Aermacchi M-346 Jet Trainer Aircrafts For RSAF

DTN News: Singapore Selected Aermacchi M-346 Jet Trainer Aircrafts For RSAF

Source: DTN News - compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including Defense News

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - July 8, 2010: Singapore has reportedly shot down Korea Aerospace Industries and chosen Alenia Aermacchi for military jet trainer aircraft, DefenseNews reports from Seoul. The report, quoting anonymous industry sources, said the decision to buy Italian M-346 trainers was the second major loss to the Italians for KIA. Last year the United Arab Emirates also chose the Italian planes over KIA's T-50 Golden Eagle, which are built in partnership with Lockheed Martin. The deal with the United Arab Emirates for 48 aircraft was worth $1.3 billion. "I've been told that the T-50 suffered another defeat apparently, as the M-346 has been picked up as the preferred bidder for the trainer jet contest in Singapore," the report quoted an unidentified industry source. "The Singapore government has yet to make public the result of its decision … and is expected to announce it soon." The report said KAI spokesmen were unavailable for comment and an Aermacchi spokesman offered no information. A spokesman for Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration couldn't confirm the report. The South Korean government owns a 30.5 percent share of KAI. The report last week said the Italian deal with the United Arab Emirates has yet to be finalized over a side agreement on joint development of unmanned aerial vehicles and KAI is hoping to reopen talks with the country over its trainers.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

DTN News: Italian AF To Order Six Aermacchi M-346 Jet Trainers; 9 More To Follow

DTN News: Italian AF To Order Six Aermacchi M-346 Jet Trainers; 9 More To Follow *Sources: FINMECCANICA / Int'l Media

(NSI News Source Info) Le Bourget, Paris - June 20, 2009: At the 48th International Air Show at Le Bourget, Paris, the Italian Defence Ministry and Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, announced that the agreement to supply six M-346 Master aircraft and an integrated training service to the Italian Air Force is in the process of being finalised. An Italian Alenia Macchi M346 fighter jet performs its demonstration flight, at Le Bourget, north of Paris, during the 48th Paris Air Show, Wednesday June 17, 2009. The agreement foresees the acquisition of a further nine aircraft, for a total of 15 M-346s Master. The agreement confirms the close partnership between the Italian Air Force and Alenia Aermacchi, and means that the former will be the first user of the M-346 Master, the most advanced trainer aircraft on the market today, which is aimed at military pilots flying 4th- and 5th-generation combat aircraft.

The agreement also includes a series of joint initiatives between Alenia Aermacchi and the Italian Air Force to develop international training support capabilities for the Air Forces of other countries through flight simulators, GBTS (Ground Based Training System) and integrated logistics. The Italian Defence Ministry was an effective supporter of the M-346 during the recent tender process held in the United Arab Emirates, which selected 48 Alenia Aermacchi trainer aircraft afterreceiving several competitive bids. The contract is currently being negotiated. This important success came following major investment begun by Alenia Aermacchi in 2000 in the field of advanced trainers, thanks to the significant support from the Italian Ministry for Economic Development. The Aermacchi M-346 is the only next-generation trainer aircraft currently in production in Europe. The aircraft can train pilots of future combat planes and can be used in all phases of advanced and pre-operational training, thus reducing flight hours in more costly aircraft. Currently the trainer program has achieved a comprehensive level of maturity, demonstrating its amazing capabilities and performance and delivering speeds which reached the sound barrier at the end of 2008. Aggressive development and test activities are underway to deliver the capabilities required by the Italian Air Force on time.