Hellenic Air Force Takes Delivery of First Two M-346 Training Aircraft

(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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