Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 wins Singapore jet trainer race

The Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has selected Alenia Aermacchi's M-346 aircraft ahead of Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI's) T-50 Golden Eagle to meet its advanced jet trainer (AJT) requirement, a MINDEF official revealed on 7 July.

Colonel Darius Lim, the director of public affairs, said that MINDEF is currently seeking to enter discussions with Alenia Aermacchi about the purchase of the aircraft, although he gave no indication as to when these negotiations might commence.
"MINDEF is now in the process of seeking final clarifications and contract negotiations with the consortium proposing the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft," he said.

The consortium consists of Italian manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi; Boeing, which will provide training and simulator systems; and ST Aerospace, a division of Singapore Technologies Engineering that will provide 25-year maintenance services for the aircraft.