The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has officially stood up its Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master advanced jet trainer aircraft-equipped training squadron based in France.
The ceremony, which occurred on 3 September, saw Singapore's Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen mark the completed delivery of the 12 new lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft into 150 Squadron, based at Cazaux Air Base near Bordeaux.
Procured in 2010 to replace the RSAF's ageing McDonnell Douglas A-4SU Skyhawks, which were also based at Cazaux, the M-346s are supplemented by Boeing-supplied full mission simulators.
According to the Singaporean Ministry of Defence, in February 150 Sqn became the first in the world to use the M-346 aircraft for its ab initio aircrew training, with the first such student making his solo flight in the type in March.
Having stood up its training detachment at Cazaux Air Base in 1998, in 2011 the RSAF extended its agreement with France to run through to 2035.
Singapore is one of four countries that have procured the M-346, along with Italy (where it is designated the T-346A), Israel (M-346 Lavi), and Poland. Unlike the other three operators, Singapore has not yet signed up for the Elbit Systems Targo helmet-mounted display (HMD) system that makes up part of the aircraft's synthetic training package.
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