Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company, was awarded a $140 million contract from Elbit Systems, Ltd. (NASDAQ and TASE: ESLT) for its share of logistics support (CLS) services for the 30 Alenia Aermacchi M-346I advanced trainer aircraft, ordered in July 2012 by the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

The CLS services, which include supply, maintenance and overhaul of spare parts for 30 Israeli M-346, will be performed jointly with Elbit Systems. The 30 aircraft
ordered by Israeli Ministry of Defence will replace the A-4 Skyhawks today in service with the Israeli Air Force. Delivery of the first M-346 is expected in the middle of 2014.

The M-346 is the ideal platform for a latest-generation integrated training system. The versatility of the M-346 allows for its configuration as an affordable advanced combat aircraft.
At the end of 2009, the Italian Air Force signed the contract for the first batch of six M-346, including ground based training systems (GBTS). The first two M-346 were delivered at the beginning of 2012.

At the end of September 2010, the Singapore Government signed the first international contract for 12 M-346 and ground-based training systems. Alenia Aermacchi also finalised contracts in June 2011 with ST Aerospace to provide logistics support to the RSAF’s fleet of M-346.

Source and photo: Alenia Aermacchi