An MB-339CM aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force has successfully performed its maiden flight.

The MB-339CM is the sixth out of a total of eight aircraft ordered by the air force under an €88m deal from Alenia Aermacchi in 2006.

The aircraft is a two-seat, single-turbojet advanced lead in fighter trainer (LIFT), which is used to train pilots on weapon system management in high-performance environment.

The air force will use the aircraft to train Malaysian aircrew to fly front line aircraft such as the Sukhoi Su30 MKM.