Reply With QuoteGood news for the M-346. Can't wait to see them delivered sporting IAF colors. Congratulations!
Alenia Aermacchi M-346 won the Israeli competetion
Good news for the M-346. Can't wait to see them delivered sporting IAF colors. Congratulations!
Competition in Singapore Comes to an End: IAF Chooses Italian M-346
English: http://www.israeldefense.com/?Catego...&ArticleID=936
Congratulations. I agree we must seek our battlefields in other countries where T-50's greater armed capabilities and our economic incentives are more significant. M-346 is no doubt an efficient jet trainer.
We'll see how the Korean-Israeli defense cooperation will progress after this development.
Let see if the deal is not victim to the IDF budget skirmish.
Personally I find choosing the Italian M-346 was the best decision. Italy's bargain initiative with the selection of two high-profile Israeli-made AWACS and Italy's uncompromising stance on Iranian oil sanction stole the show, IMHO.
PS: I still think S.Korea could strike deals with Israel particularly in the shipbuilding sector. Israel has a requirement for several frigates for the years to come and Israeli shipyard industry is not actually up-to-the task for building the hull of large boats.
Last edited by Ren789; 02-16-2012 at 09:32 AM.
Oops double post...
so they chose westernized yak-130...
From what I understand the Italian also committed for 1.6B$ future purchases from Israeli companies.
Warder
Article continued @ FlightglobalIsrael selects Alenia Aermacchi M-346 for trainer deal
By: Arie Egozi Tel Aviv
Israel's defence ministry has selected Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 as the new advanced jet trainer for the Israeli air force, with a contract to include 30 aircraft.
Announced on 16 February, the selection decision ended a long competition that pitted the M-346 against the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50.
Italy wins bid to provide IAF with combat trainer jets
By YAAKOV KATZ
02/16/2012 15:35
South Korea loses out on $1b. contract, accuses Israel of conducting tender against international standards; selection of Italy's Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master could jeopardize lucrative Korean defense deals.
The Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that it has selected Italy’s Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master as the next advanced combat trainer for the Israel Air Force.
The decision is expected to lead to a crisis with South Korea which had pushed hard to win the $1 billion deal. Seoul has claimed that Israel had preferred Italy throughout the competition and that the tender was not conducted according to “international standards.”
On Thursday, Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. Udi Shani convened a meeting of the IAF and the MOD’s senior staff to rule on the tender.
According to the decision, the IAF will receive 30 M346s starting in 2014 which will be used to replace its legendary fleet of Skyhawks which have been used until now to serve as the advanced trainer for pilots designated for fighter jets.
In return, Italy will commit to purchase just over $1 billion of military platforms from Israeli defense companies, including satellites and airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft.
Tension between Seoul and Jerusalem peaked earlier this week in meetings Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Shani held with Korean officials on the sidelines of the Singapore Air Show. Korea has expressed interest in purchasing new refueling tankers from Israel Aerospace Industries as well as the Iron Dome counter rocket defense system from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Those deals are now believed to be in jeopardy.
http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=258135
Repost friend:
milphotos
Sorry.
Mods please erase the thread.
Israel wasn't looking for a great trainer with light attack capabilities, it was looking for a great trainer, especially at a time when the IDF was facing budgetary difficulties this was important. I hope South Korea doesn't take this personally, it was just a business decision.
Anyway when the IDF can't even afford to make any new Merkava's or Namer's and is halting all exercises indefinitely, I question how much these trainers are needed right now.
Originally Posted by _GDS_
Which is nothing but the M-346 version for the Russian market ...
Korea offered more purchases than Italy. It is not 1 bil like other article said.
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