Poland selects M-346 for trainer contract

Poland’s military has selected Alenia Aermacchi to deliver M-346 twin-engined jet trainers and a flight simulator in a €280 million (US$384 million) deal, the Italian company announced on 23 December.

The order, which is pending a contract signing in the “first months” of next year, comes a month after Poland’s Ministry of Defense revealed that Alenia Aermacchi had significantly underbid rivals BAE Systems and Korea Aerospace/Lockheed Martin in a closely watched competition.

The Polish order also will include an option of four more M-346 jets, which are powered by a pair of Honeywell F124 turbofan engines.

The aircraft will be used to train air force pilots before flying the Lockheed Martin F-16. Alenia Aermacchi has sold 48 M-346 jets to three other customers in Italy, Singapore and Israel.

Flight Global