The Italian Air Force will acquire six M-346 Master advanced trainer aircraft from Alenia Aermacchi for €220m.
The aircraft will be purchased along with related flight simulators, which together comprise an integrated training system under the contract.
The contract also includes logistics support, military personnel training and the construction of part of the logistic-infrastructural platform to be used for training and ground operations.
The platform will consist of multimedia training rooms and a new flight line for the M-346s, along with a hangar and maintenance services for the aircraft.
The first two trainers will be initially assigned to the Flight Testing Department at the Pratica di Mare air base, where the first operational tests will take place.
This contract forms part of a broader agreement to supply a total of 15 M-346 Masters and related support.
The first two aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2010 and four more aircraft by the end of 2011.
