Chile close to Stamp Deal for C-27J and M-345

Chile looks set to sign a contract with Italy for the procurement of the C-27J Spartan tactical transport aircraft and the M-345 trainer.
Chile's Defence Minister signed an agreement with his Italian counterpart for collaboration between the Chilean Enaer and Alenia Aermacchi across a range of projects that include cooperation on the two Alenia aircraft types.
According to Alenia Aermacchi, one of the issues discussed and agreed was for support of both the C-27J and M-345, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) being signed.
However, as Chile does not currently operate either of these types it can be assumed that a procurement deal looks set to be struck at some point in the not-too-distant future.
janes

France to evaluate M-345 as possible Alpha Jet replacement

France appears to have begun the process of seeking a replacement for its air force’s fleet of aged Alpha Jet trainers – and Alenia Aermacchi's M-345 is in the frame.
Officials from nation’s DGA defence procurement agency and the air force will later this month travel to Alenia Aermacchi’s plant in Venegono, Italy, to evaluate the M-345.
flightglobal

Italy commits to M-345 HET trainer

The Italian air force is to adopt Alenia Aermacchi's developmental M-345 HET to replace its MB-339s in delivering part of its future pilot training syllabus.
The replacement decision was announced by defence minister Mario Mauro during a ceremony to mark the end of the season for the air force's MB-339-equipped Frecce Tricolori aerobatic display team.
Alenia Aermacchi and Italy's National Armaments Directorate signed an agreement at the Paris air show in July 2013 to jointly define the operational specifications and collaborate on the development of the M-345 basic/advanced trainer. The type is expected to enter service between 2017 and 2020.
flightglobal

Another Version of the Italian trainer S-211

The Italian ministry of defense and Alenia Aermacchi have agreed to jointly define the operational requirements for a version of the jet-powered basic trainer aimed at pilfering market share from turboprop models such as the Beechcraft T-6, Pilatus PC-21 and Embraer’s A-29 Super Tucano.
The aircraft called the M-345 High Efficiency Trainer is the latest attempt by Alenia to find a market for its legacy, unsold M-211 single-engine jet trainer, which was derived from the decades-old SIAI-Marchetti S.211.
Amy Butler-aviationweek

Alenia Aermacchi and the Italian National Armaments Directorate: agreement to jointly develop a new jet trainer, the M-345 HET

Alenia Aermacchi and the Secretariat General of Defence/National Armaments Directorate of the Italian Ministry of Defence have signed an agreement to jointly define the operational specifications and collaborate on the development of a new basic-advanced trainer, the M-345 HET (High Efficiency Trainer) and expected to enter service between 2017-2020.
aleniaaermacchi