Singapore receives M-346 trainer

Italian aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi has delivered to Singapore the first of 12 M-346 advanced trainer aircraft under a $308 million contract. The M-346 is a jet trainer resulting from a joint venture with Russia's Yakovlev. It is modeled on the Yak-130. It has a maximum speed of 572 knots and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The Italian air force has purchased six of the planes, while Israel has ordered 30. The Israeli contract, which took effect at the beginning of this year, is worth more than $600 million. Singapore ordered the 12 trainer aircraft in 2010. Alenia Aermacchi said a roll-out ceremony took place this week in Venegono Superiore and was attended by government officials, as well as by the president of Singapore's ST Aerospace, the prime contractor. A delivery schedule for the 11 remaining M-346 trainers ordered by Singapore for its air force wasn't disclosed.