M-346: ‘Gold’ their acquisition by the Air Force – Their capabilities and advantages

Absolutely happy are the first impressions of the education of the young Ikara in the new M-346. In the Air Force they do not hide their satisfaction in acquiring the powerful M-346 aircraft, which reminds fighters of last generation and not educational ones. They are not hesitant to talk about “flash gold”. M-346 can, under conditions, even face fighters such as F-16 or Mirage 2000-5 especially in closed air battles, where flexibility and powerful engine give advantage to aerial combat as they highlight features in Onalert.gr experienced trainers. The extra aircraft supply scenario In fact, these first highly encouraging conclusions are putting the Air Staff in mind in order to invest even more in ‘value for money’ Italian aircraft either in cooperation with Israelis or autonomously with the purchase additional M-346 directly from the manufacturer Leonardo through a transnational agreement. The most “advanced” scenario even refers to the acquisition of a number of M-346-type aircraft in the Fighter Attack version, which could be used in a dual role, i.e. both for the needs of education and as light fighters for a number of missions including the shooting down of enemy drones. The M-346 in this configuration features an AESA electronic scanning radar similar to Rafale and Viper, a Link 16 data coupling system, markers – targeting beams for use of special impact weapons on the ground and sea, but also almost the entire range of the remaining weapons of the Western arsenal. And at the given time, other needs such as upgrading the 38 F-16 block 50 fighter aircraft, acquisition of F-35-type stealth aircraft and new weapons, but the fact that it is a state-of-the-art aircraft enables this program to proceed over a long period of time. Their potential and advantages Especially if it is decided to strengthen the International Air Centre of Kalamata with additional means to attract trainees, and it is worth noting that interest has already been expressed by at least one state in the wider region of the Eastern Mediterranean. What they have found in the four M-346, which are already flying in Kalamata, the instructors of the 362 Air Training Squadron refer to an aircraft which delivers almost ready the new flyers not only to the 4th generation fighters but also to more modern aircraft such as Rafale, Viper and F-35. The modern technology they possess simulates them with fighters in the operation of radar and other sensors and in the use of any kind of weapon whether they are air missiles or special weapons of land and marine targets. The battle computer and the instructor’s files can be programmed and accepted virtually all the weapons used by the Greek Air Force fighters as well as the F-35 under acquisition with the flying people trained in every scenario and mission that they will be invited to undertake in the coming years with Rafale, Viper and F-35. M-346 with its power, but also with its other flying characteristics, enables training at the limits. Typical is the fact that it exceeds 8 positive g and 3 negatives approaching very close to fighter performance. It can also develop speed that reaches 0.95 Mach, while the flight range is estimated at 1,950 km, while using external fuel tanks it reaches 2,550 km. But impressive are the possibilities of the emulator on the ground, in which tomorrow’s “oldies” spend hundreds of hours at the same time as the hours of flights they put on the M-346 coquettes. In the coming months, new aircraft will continue to receive new aircraft to fill in the number of ten by April 2025. By Kostas Sarika / Source: OnAlert.gr