Performed between 3 and 5 February, the activity comprised two test flights, during each of which a Polish air force pilot joined an Alenia Aermacchi test pilot in the cockpit. A final agreement between the defence ministry and the Italian company is expected to be signed later this month, or in March. The order for eight aircraft includes training services, flight simulators and technical and logistics support. Warsaw will also have an option to acquire a further four of the aircraft at a later date.
First announced last December, Warsaw's selection of the M-346 for the requirement followed a competition also involving the BAE Systems Hawk and Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50, offered by latter's UK business unit. Alenia Aermacchi's proposal was selected on the grounds of it having submitted a compliant solution at the lowest price.
The proposals from BAE and Lockheed were rejected due to their non-compliance with air force requirements. The defeated bidders had the right to appeal against the decision before 2 January 2014, but neither exercised this option.
flightglobal
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