(18/05/23) The Hellenic Air Force has taken delivery of the
first two M-346 training aircraft.
The jets are the first of ten aircraft
expected via an agreement between the Hellenic and Israeli Defense
Ministries, with Elbit Systems undertaking the creation of an
International Flight Training Center at 120 ΑΤW Kalamata.
Manufactured by Leonardo, the M-346 is a
twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft with fully digital flight
controls and avionics. It is equipped with a fly-by-wire control
system and has an interface with Head-Up Displays (HUD).
The aircraft are equipped with Elbit Systems’
integrated virtual avionics that
simulates tactical training and is completed by the Ground Based
Training System that optimizes fleet and simulator management.
“Our ambition is that the
International Flight Training Center will provide basic, advanced
and operational flight training to all airmen and over a period of
22 years using T-6 and M-346 aircraft,” said Nikos Panagiotopoulos,
Greece’s Minister of Defense. “The most important thing is
that this will bring revenue to the Greek Air Force and
international prestige to the training center since the
International Flight Training Center is indeed the biggest
agreement and the most strategic project in the field of defense
cooperation between Greece and Israel to date.”
M-346 Training Aircraft
The first training building has already been completed and
the advanced flight simulators as
well as ground and fleet control and communication systems are
expected to be installed in the near future.
“In the new era, when the demand for high quality
air training is constantly increasing worldwide, the foundation of
the International Center will undoubtedly offer to the Hellenic
Air Force enormous potential, enhancing its role in the
international military aviation scene and placing it among the
military aviation elite as well as in this sensitive domain of
modern, comprehensive and realistic training,” said Lieutenant
General Themistocles Bourolias, Chief of the Hellenic Air Force
General Air Staff. “We aspire to provide our
airmen, in the air and on the ground, adequate air training and
professional expertise on modern aircraft systems and simulators,
producing quality warriors that will ensure a gentle transition to
next aircraft generation, assimilating the new technology and air
culture effortlessly.”
The Israeli Ministry of Defense has contracted
Elbit Systems for handling several training fleets for the IAF –
including the Grob G120, Bell 206, AW119 helicopters, the
Texan T-6A basic trainer fleet and M-346 advanced jet trainer
fleet.
The Israeli Ministry of Public Security also contracted the
company for the delivery, operation and maintenance of Israel’s
Air Tractor aerial firefighting fleet.
In 2016 Affinity, an Elbit
Systems JV, was contracted to procure, operate and maintain the
Phenom 100, Beechcraft T-6 and GROB G-120TP fleets of the UK MFTS
for the Royal Air Force. These bring the total number of aircraft
operated by Elbit Systems to over 170.
Yoram Shmuely, General Manager of Elbit Systems
Aerospace, said, “We are proud to provide the Hellenic Air Force with
leading training centers and capabilities. The landing of the
first two planes at the International Training Center in Kalamata
is a significant milestone for not only Elbit Systems, but for the
growing strategic relationship between Israel and Greece.”
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