The first flight of the second M346 Bielik of the third batch ordered by the Polish Air Force was made today, Friday 22th April 2022. The test flight was completed this afternoon from Venegono factory.
On 27 February 2014 Poland signed a €280 million contract with Alenia Aermacchi for 8 M-346 Master advanced training jets with an option for four. The first two Masters arrived in Poland accompanied by Team Iskry on November 14, 2016. The first eight M346 Bielik, as the aicraft is named in Polish Air Force service, were delivered between November 2016 and October 2017.
In March 2018, Poland signed the contract for the additional four aircraft and support package, plus an option on four more aircraft. The original option of four M346s was delivered between October and November 2020.
On 3 February 2021, Leonardo announced that the contract for the second option on four M346s was signed with the final delivery scheduled before the end of 2022. This will bring the total number to sixteen. The first M346 Bielik of this batch took the sky on 30th of December 2021 (registration CSX55271).
Actually the twelve Polish Air Force M436s are operated by the 48. Eskadra Lotnicza (48.el)/4. Skrzydło Lotnictwa Szkolnego (4.SLSz, 4th Flying Training Wing) and they are all based at Dêblin Air Base.
It’s the first flight of the M346 after the incident occourred on 16th March 2022.