Initial Two of Ten Aircraft for International Pilot Training Centre
The first two M-346 aircraft have arrived at the International Pilot Training Centre in Kalamata, Greece, according to a statement by Elbit Systems on 17 May.
The aircraft, whose arrival was marked by a ceremony involving representatives of the Greek Air Force, MoD and government, the Israeli MoD and Elbit Systems, will undertake the training and familiarisation of the Air Force’s new generation of Icari to the requirements of modern fighter jets. The two aircraft are the first of ten covered by the 2021 government-to-government agreement, under which Elbit is creating an international training centre at Kalamata. The aircraft also feature Elbit’s integrated virtual avionics that simulate combat and flight operations. The programme is currently ahead of schedule. During a recent visit to Greece, Israel’s Minister of Defense, Yoav Gallant praised the project, saying that “the International Education Center at the Kalamata airbase is an excellent example” of the growing defense ties between the two countries. The M-346s are expected to fly thousands of hours per year.
Nikos Panagiotopoulos, Greek Minister of Defence, stated “The new International Flight Training Center is the result of many efforts by the Greek State, the Ministry of National Defense, in order to achieve the best possible solution for the training of new pilots of the Greek Air Force. The Israeli side and Elbit Systems offered the most adaptable and understandable approach in the field of flight training. Our ambition is that the International Flight Training Center will provide basic, advanced and operational flight training to all airmen and over a period of 22 years, using T-6 and M-346 aircraft. The most important thing is that this will bring revenue to the Greek Air Force and international prestige to the training center, since the International Flight Training Center is indeed the biggest agreement and the most strategic project in the field of defense cooperation between Greece and Israel to date”.
