Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1000484
The contract value is 115M EUR and delivery will be finished before October 2020. What's more, aircraft comes with a logistic support package and includes (in response to an earlier request) an option for four additional planes that could be delivered in 2021-22 – interestingly enough, some sources say they might be training-combat versions. The signature of the contract is a milestone in the project of implementation of trainer jets at the 41st Training Air Base in Dęblin because it seemed not so long ago that the demands reported by the military with regard to increasing the size of the fleet above the contracted eight units would end up in the drawer. The decision to start the negotiations concerning increasing the number of the ordered aircraft was made public on 11 January 2018, and then it was (unofficially) claimed that the talks would be quick – as both parties were pressed for time. This was linked to factors related to finance (the expenditures for the FY2017 were be accounted for by the end of March) and marketing. After finishing a contract for delivery of 18 M346s for the Italian Air Force at the end of February, Leonardo decided to go for manufacturing of components for the next M346s and to look for clients to keep the assembly line going. Eventually, the company managed to make an agreement with Poland, which promises a quick delivery of the aircraft – the representatives of the former management of the Ministry of National Defence mentioned off the record that the manufacture of the jets was initiated before the contract was signed. Importantly enough, when the new contract was being signed, the matters of settlement of contractual penalties for delays in the supply of the first eight jets were not discussed – they will be subject to a separate negotiation procedure. At present, all eight jets supplied as part of the original order, flying operationally since 16 February, are based in Dęblin. They are flown by instructors, who take advantage of this opportunity to practice what they've been taught in Italy, and to work out a complete methodology of utilization of the jets for the purpose of training future pilots of multi- role combat aircraft. AVIATION