HAF M.346s will be delivery soon to Kalamata

[Starfighter_F-104G]

ex IDF/AF M-346s seen at Hatzerim Airbase with HAF roundels
120
136
141

seven more will follow

[CBR]

https://theaviationist.com/2021/01/07/g ... -aircraft/

https://defense-update.com/20210418_kalamata.html

Will the IDF/AF replace these M-346s? If so with what and when?

[michel N]

Maybe the IDF M346’s will be on loan until new M346’s will be delivered. Just speculation though.

[CBR]

Maybe the IDF M346’s will be on loan until new M346’s will be delivered. Just speculation though.

30 M-346I have been delivered to the IDF/AF so 10 is a huge bite out of its training capacity.

[michel N]

I think the IDF knows what they’re doing… maybe they only send a few, until the Hellenic ones are in production. Or Israel replaces them with new build?
Time will tell

[CBR]

Will the IDF/AF replace these M-346s? If so with what and when?

[gluefan1]

Short video showing the three ex IAF M-346 with HAF marking in Hazerim AFB.
HAF air and ground crews learning the planes.
https://twitter.com/isozygio/status/1415745076236627972

[frank kramer]

Why would the IDFAF want to obtain new trainers? All they are going to do is base 10 of them in Greece, to be operated together with the HAF in HAF markings to avoid a fuzz and to alleviate the pressure on limited Israeli airspace. Just a matter of efficiency (and political expediency) if you ask me.

[Trabanti]

Oh no! Does that mean the curtain for the T-2 is about to fall?

[gluefan1]

Why would the IDFAF want to obtain new trainers? All they are going to do is base 10 of them in Greece, to be operated together with the HAF in HAF markings to avoid a fuzz and to alleviate the pressure on limited Israeli airspace. Just a matter of efficiency (and political expediency) if you ask me.

No, the deal is Israel (by Elbit&IAF) will make advance flight school in Greece with initial 10 M-346 ASAP.
Leonardo's production line are fully booked for the next few years so the immediate solution was ex Israeli planes.
The Greeks in a hurry because they want to get ready for the Rafales and F-35 era.
First Rafale delivery ceremony is in two days in France

M-346 Master
https://www.leonardocompany.com/en/products/m-346