The Israeli Ministry of Defense has awarded a contract to Elbit Systems to establish a mission training centre for the Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) F-16C/D and F-16I fighter aircraft pilots.

The centre features a training system that will provide coordinated training for the IAF at an interoperable level at different locations.

The system will also allow integration with other training systems operated by the Israel Defense Forces, such as trainers for helicopter pilots, UAV operators and ground forces.

The system will reduce training costs by eliminating the need to train on fighter jets for training sorties.

The project, estimated at $55m, also includes instruction and maintenance services for 15 years.