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World Aviation Defense & Security News - Poland
 
 
Poland orders four more M-346 Advanced Jet Trainers
 
By Nathan Gain

According to the European Tenders electronic daily (Ted), Poland placed an order for four additional M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, the online platform stated today, January 16, 2018. The Italian planemaker received the corresponding contract on January 12, Ted's document says.
     
Poland orders four more M 346 Advanced Jet Trainers 640 001The PAF received its first M-346 AJT in June 2016
(Credit: Leonardo)
     

This order includes "delivery of four M-346 aircraft by 2020" and an option for four more aircraft to be delivered in 2021/2022. The trainer jets, locally named “Bielik”, will bolster Polish Air Force advanced training capability. The will be operated from Polish Air Force 41st Training AB in Deblin.

In February 2014, Poland signed a deal worth US$ 342M to acquire eight M-346s to replace the currently operational TS-11 Iskra. The contract also includes logistic support; a training programme for pilots and engineers; a state-of-the-art ground-based training system with dedicated classrooms and educational materials, including a Full Mission Simulator, a highly complex device able to replicate any possible operational scenario and also to be networked with real aircraft flying training missions.

The first two jet trainers were supplied to the Polish Air Force in November 2016.

According to Leonardo, the M346 has been ordered by the Air Forces of Italy (18), Singapore (12), Israel (30) and Poland (8) for a total of 68 orders.