LONDON – Manufacturer Leonardo and Polish military support company Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 1 S.A. (WZL1) have signed a contract for the long-term support of the Polish Air Force M-346 “Bielik” fleet.
The newly minted support contract further reinforces the existing cooperation between the two parties.
WZL1 enjoys a long history of support for the operation of aircraft and systems belonging to the Polish Armed Forces.
The company also provides extensive technical, logistic and infrastructural facilities close to the home base of operations for the AJT system.
The new service support agreement will thus allow for further increase in fleet availability in order to meet Polish Air Force’s growing needs of training combat pilots.
Leonardo, as the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), will be responsible for the engineering support services resulting from its role in the operation system and supply chain management.
WZL1 will act as the main contractor, coordinating the entire process, complementing and supporting areas by which Leonardo is not directly involved. WZL1 is also responsible for direct cooperation with the Polish Air Force.
Leonardo also cooperates with WZL1, on the basis of separate agreements, in the process of training and establishing maintenance and repair competences at Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze No. 1 S.A. to support the operation of M-346 aircraft with the AJT system.
Dario Marfè, SVP Commercial and Customer Services at Leonardo Aircraft Division, said: “With more than 100,000 hours flown, the cutting-edge M-346 has cemented its position as the world’s best advanced jet trainer for today’s and tomorrow’s fighter pilots.”
“At the forefront of jet training technology, the M-346 will continue to represent the best way to develop a fighter pilot’s skills for decades to come.”
“This agreement strengthens Leonardo’s partnership with WZL1, creating new opportunities to transfer additional activities in Poland.”
“In accordance with a proven and flexible logistic support model that Leonardo has established in several countries, [it] foresees a transfer of capabilities to local defence industries.”
About the M-346
In February 2014, the Polish Air Force chose the M-346 as the successor to the legendary TS-11 Iskra training aircraft.
Then in November 2018, in a ceremony at the Polish Air Force’s 4th Air Training Wing in Dęblin, the M–346 received the official name “Bielik” in Polish service.
Since its introduction into the Polish Air Force fleet, the M-346 has been assigned to the 41st Training Air Base in Dęblin. The current fleet of 16 aircraft is the result of two additional batches after Poland’s initial choice.
Poland’s M-346 “Bielik” system has also been certified by the US Air Force for the training of fourth and fifth generation fighter pilots.
This certification represents an important milestone that has enabled Poland to train many of its students at home rather than abroad.
More than 100 M-346 aircraft have been ordered by major international air forces including those of Italy, Israel, Poland, Singapore, Qatar, and Greece.
The aircraft is also the backbone of the International Flight Training School (IFTS), a collaboration between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, which has already been selected by Japan, Germany, Qatar, and Singapore.
 have signed a contract for long-term support of Polish Air Force M-346 “Bielik” fleet){kind=link}