ST Aerospace awarded contract to procure 12 M346 aircraft and ground based training system for RSAF

ST Aerospace today announced it has been awarded a contract to procure 12 M346 aircraft and ground based training system for the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) fighter pilot training in Cazaux, France. The acquisition cost of the aircraft, ground based training system and associated spares are worth S$543m (US$ 410 million—Ed.), and delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2012. This contract is primed by ST Aerospace, which will undertake the overall management of the programme. The M346 aircraft will be provided by Alenia Aermacchi while Boeing will supply the ground based training system. "We are pleased to work with our partners to support RSAF’s next generation training needs. Over the years, we have been supporting the RSAF in many technical and operational areas. We intend to work closely with our partners to ensure that the aircraft and systems to be delivered meet the exacting requirements of the RSAF," said Chang Cheow Teck, President, ST Aerospace. “The signing of the contract with Singapore is a source of great pride for us and an important sign of appreciation of the qualities of our aircraft from one of the world’s most sophisticated air forces. It affirms the Alenia Aermacchi M346 as the leading training aircraft available today on the global market and the ideal platform for a state-of-the-art, integrated training system,” said Carmelo Cosentino, CEO, Alenia Aermacchi. "Boeing is pleased to support the Republic of Singapore Air Force on the Advanced Jet Training programme. We look forward to providing the RSAF with state-of-the-art ground based training system incorporating the first application of our revolutionary Constant Resolution Visual System in the full mission simulators," said Mark McGraw, Vice President, Boeing Training Systems and Services.