On 3rd of April 2023 the first M-346 for Hellenic Air Force (HAF) completed its first flight with full livery.
Coded 250 on tail, the flight had a duration of one hour and was performed by Leonardo Aircraft test pilot from Venegono plant.
Announced by the Israeli company Elbit Systems on April 18 2021, Greece and Israel signed a preliminary agreement for a new flight school for the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) with the acquisition of 10 Leonardo M346 jet trainers.
The contract will include the supply of ten Leonardo M346 advanced lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft by Elbit, which will maintain the entire training fleet, comprised of dozens of M346 and T-6A Texan II training aircraft, for a period of approximately 20 years.
Under the agreement, the training school will be run by Elbit Systems and modelled on the Israeli Air Force’s Flight Academy.
As stated on Leonardo’s website, the M-346 is the most advanced jet trainer aircraft, designed to have extensive training capabilities, long-term reliability and to carry out operational activities at reduced costs. At the heart of an integrated training system, the M346 represents the most modern solution to train the new generation of pilots.
The aircraft is in service with the Air Forces of Italy (have look at our Report of 61 Stormo flight training school), the Republic of Singapore, Israel and Poland, an undisclosed customer and soon with Hellenic Air Force.