28 Sep 2010, 1200 hours (Time is GMT +8 hours)

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract to Singapore Technologies Aerospace Ltd (ST Aerospace) to acquire 12 M-346 aircraft and a ground-based training system for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) replacement programme.
The aircraft will be provided by Alenia Aermacchi, while the training system will be supplied by Boeing. ST Aerospace will undertake the overall management of the AJT programme. The 12 M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system are expected to be delivered from 2012.

The acquisitions of the M-346 aircraft and the ground-based training system mark a significant milestone in the RSAF's force development, enhancing the capabilities and operational readiness of the Singapore Armed Forces.

Read the article at: www.mindef.gov.sg

Alenia Aermacchi – an Alenia Aeronautica subsidiary and part of the Finmeccanica Group – has signed a contract for attributable value worth approximately EUR 250 million to supply 12 M-346 advanced trainer aircraft to the Republic of Singapore Air Force through the consortium comprised of ST Aerospace (prime contractor) and Boeing. The delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2012. Successively, together with ST Aerospace, Alenia Aermacchi will make a contribution to ITS (Integrated Training System) activities and to supporting the fleet.

This contract confirms the superior qualities of the Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, which is gaining increasing consensus on the major international markets, testifying to the technological excellence of Finmeccanica’s aeronautics companies. The M-346’s success is also a result of close collaboration between the Italian government and the defence industry.

Source Alenia-Aermacchi, 29/09/2010.
Read the whole article at: www.aermacchi.it