Dubai 2011: Production Master M-346 makes Dubai debut
Though the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master prototypes have been a regular sight at international air shows, Dubai sees the public debut of the production aircraft, in the shape of the first T-346 to be delivered to the Italian Air Force's Reparto Sperimentale Volo at Pratica di Mare.
The Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) has ordered two batches of six T-346s to replace MB-339s in the advanced training/fighter lead in training role.
The M-346 Master gained its military type certification from Italy’s General Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments on June 20 2011.
The M-346 Master has been selected by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (with a contract signed in 2010), which will use 12 M-346 aircraft and a ground-based training system (to be supplied by Boeing) to replace the TA-4SU Skyhawks that the air force currently operates from Cazaux in France.
The M-346 was selected to meet the UAE’s requirement for a new advanced trainer in 2009 but the anticipated contract, for 48 aircraft, has yet to be signed.
The final request for proposals set the UAE requirement at 20 trainers, 20 light attack aircraft, and eight aircraft to equip a formation display team.
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