Kalamata: The first flight of the first Greek training aircraft M-346

The “maiden” flight of the first Greek training aircraft M-346 took place on January 21 at the International Pilot Training Center at the 120th Air Training Wing of Kalamata.

As announced, the training M-346, which does not bear its final form on the outside, flew from the Caselle airport as part of tests by manufacturer Leonardo.

It is recalled that following the intergovernmental agreement between the Greek Ministry of National Defense and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, Elbit Systems has taken over from April 2021 the creation of an International Pilot Training Center in Kalamata.

The agreement includes, among other things, the supply and operation of new M-346 training aircraft, the maintenance of the existing training fleet consisting of the new M-346 and dozens of T-6 training aircraft, the provision of integrated flight electronic systems for the training aircraft , interconnected flight simulators, ground training stations and a command and control system.

Elbit reports that the project is progressing rapidly, with the construction of the first training building soon to be completed, and the Logistics Center at the airbase and support for the T-6 trainer aircraft already operating.