The Italian Navy has exhibited one of its most powerful fighters in Spain. The Leonardo company has recently traveled to Madrid to present to the Spanish Air and Space Army the capabilities of its M-346 advanced trainer proposed by the company as a substitute for the F-5 fighters.
According to the mediathis visit “draws special attention“. “The Air and Space Army recognized at the beginning of December that the Turkish Hürjet aircraft is the best positioned and just a week ago Spain signed a memorandum with Turkey to develop an advanced training system.”
But, “the meeting between the Army and Leonardo reflects that The decision has not yet been made. The delegation of the Italian firm held a meeting at the highest level with the chief of the Air Staff (JEMA), Francisco Braco.” The publication points out that the Italian company “is among your options“.
“The veteran F-5s are in the final stretch of their operational life after more than 50 years in service. The fleet used to train pilots in the operation of the Eurofighter and F-18 fighters will reach the end of their operational life around 2030,” warns the specialized media. “The program is one of the priorities of the Air and Space Army and is part of the acquisition projects that the Ministry of Defense wants to launch in the coming months.
According to the data released in the publication, this Italian aircraft, the M-346 “is an advanced training and light attack ship based on the Russian Yak-130 design.” Thus, the plane measures 11.5 meters in length and 9.7 meters in wingspan. It is capable of flying at transonic speeds (between 980 and 1,230 kilometers per hour) and its operational ceiling is 45,000 feet.
