Rome 09 June 2016 19:36
- Moretti: Brig. Gen. Tzuker expressed great satisfaction for our Aermacchi M-346 aircraft
- The 30 aircraft ordered by Israel have been delivered in less than two years
- The Israeli Air Force has already undertaken more than 10,000 flights with the Aermacchi M-346 for a total of 7,500 hours
CEO and General Manager of Leonardo-Finmeccanica Mauro Moretti recently welcomed Brig. Gen. Shmuel Tzuker of the Israeli Ministry of Defence to the Leonardo - Finmeccanica Venegono Superiore facility in Varese, for delivery of the last of the 30 Aermacchi M-346 aircraft ordered by Israel in 2012. Also present were the Israeli Ambassador to Italy Naor Gilon, and the Head of the Leonardo-Finmeccanica Aircraft Division Filippo Bagnato.
Delivery of the first aircraft to Israel was made in 2014, and in less than two years all 30 aircraft have been delivered to the customer. The Aermacchi M-346s are demonstrating high efficiency and have already undertaken more than 10,000 flights for a total of 7,500 hours.
Mauro Moretti said: "this was an important moment, as Brig. Gen. Tzuker pointed out yesterday, expressing his satisfaction at the choice of our aircraft. The Aermacchi M-346 has established itself in all the major international competitions, and already trains pilots of the Italian, Israeli and Singapore Air Forces, considered amongst the most demanding in the world. Our trainer will now make its debut in Poland and is also a candidate for the US Air Force competition for 350 aircraft.”
Brig. Gen. Shmuel Tzuker said: “I would like to thank Leonardo-Finmeccanica and their employees for the excellent industrial performance and for the support they have given to the Israeli Air Force. Israeli pilots are great advocates of the M-346 because the aircraft exceeds our highest expectations.”
The contract signed with Israel in 2012 provided for the supply of 30 Aermacchi M-346 aircraft (to replace the A-4 Skyhawk), maintenance, logistics, simulators and training provided in collaboration with other Israeli and international companies, part of a wider agreement between the Italian and Israeli Governments. Italy, Israel, Singapore and Poland have ordered a total of 68 Aermacchi M-346s, the most advanced training aircraft available on the market today and designed to train pilots for the latest generation military aircraft.