Greek concluded important agreements to undertake education from Germany and Croatia and thus “take off” the 120 Air Training Wing International Air Training Centre in Kalamata In fact, there is information that other countries from Europe, Africa and the Middle East have expressed strong interest. so their pilots could be trained by the Greek Air Force. Already, the first two Luftwaffe airmen start their two-year training program while the deal predicts from the following year and each year they come to Kalamata sixteen young flyers from Germany in order to be initiated into the air “art” and graduate ready to fly fighters. A similar agreement goes ahead with the Air Force and the Croats, so that from the following year a number of flying men will be determined next time to participate in the training program. GR. TYPE GE/POLIC AIRPORTS What the agreements predict Young flyers from Germany and Croatia are expected to be trained as the Greek Icarians initially in the T-6 helicopters and then in the state-of-the-art M-346 training aircraft. Already in Kalamata and 120 Air Training Wing six M-346 trainings are used to fly the new Icarus of our Air Force. Training of the first series of flying on newly acquired aircraft is completed according to planning over the next few weeks with new aviators heading for the War Fates. Within December the design is expected to be received by the manufacturer The Italian company Leonardo another educator and, in particular, by March, the number of M-346 is to reach ten as provided for in the agreement with the Israeli company Elbit. GR. TYPE GE/POLIC AIRPORTS What about M-346 Following the agreement with Germany and Croatia on training young flyers in Kalamata and given the interest of other states in sending new airmen to the International Air Center, the Air Force is considering the possibility of acquiring other M-346 aircraft. In addition to the financial benefit and the possibility of self-financing, the conversion of the Kalamata Air Force Base into a large International Training Centre strengthens the global status of our Air Force as well as the country’s “print” at a political and diplomatic level. GR. TYPE GE/POLIC AIRPORTS At the same time, it is a strong vote of confidence in the Greek trainers, who have rightly “built” decades of fame, while being included in the world’s leading, with thousands of flight hours, the experience of interceptions and virtual air battles over the Aegean and the participation in major exercises and co-education at national and multinational level. The acquisition of the last generation of teachers M-346 combined with the modernization of the facilities of the 120 Air Training Wing was apparently a “mat” move in order for the “mob” of young flyers to pass to a much higher level, let alone when they are already invited to fly Rafale fighters and upgraded F-16 Viper while in the following years they will sit in the 5th generation F-35 cutters. Their characteristics The air force is particularly pleased by the first conclusions of the use of M-346 for the final training of young flyers before entering the fighters. Both its flight characteristics and electronic equipment are considered to be exceptional as M-346 although educational approaches the performance of modern state-of-the-art fighters. Their powerful engine enables them to develop speed that touches 1 Mach while during maneuvers they can reach 8g positive and 3g negative, which is very close to the performance of F-16 Viper and Rafale. GR. TYPE GE/POLIC AIRPORTS Their modern electronics simulate the operation of radar and other sensors as well as the use of any kind of weapon whether they are air missiles or special weapons of land and marine targets. This is due to the fact that M-346’s battle computer and “vessels” can be programmed and virtually accept all weapons used by Greek Air Force fighters as well as the F-35 under acquisition, while the use of external fuel tanks enables them to fly up to 2,550 km, which translates into many hours of stay and training in the air. Source: OnAlert.gr – Reportage: Kostas Sarikas
Air Force: Pilots from Germany and Croatia will be trained by Greek “oldies”
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in Greece