Alenia Aermacchi M-345 HET "Frecce Tricolori"

[archipeppe]

Here it is the new aircraft choose by Italian Air Force for its acrobatic demonstration team the well known "Frecce Tricolori" (Tri-colours Arrows). The Alenia Aermacchi Aeronautica (a Finmenccanica company) M-345 HET (High Efficency Trainer), ordered in 15 units to replace the old MB-339A.
The M-345 is essentially the already old SIAI S-211, realized in the early 80's, updated with new materials and avionics in order to flank as cheaper brother the more advanced (and also expensive) M-346 Master.


Ciao
Giuseppe

 

[cluttonfred]

Just out of curiosity, any idea how much the M-345 deal will cost the Italian government? I have always liked the 211/311/345 and wondered by more developing countries don't use them as trainer/light attack aircraft to replace aging, fuel- and maintenance-hungry fleets of 1960s-1970s aircraft.