Alenia Aermacchi is completing modification work on the final batch of four MB-339A trainer and light attack aircraft for the United Arab Emirates air force and air defence display team, said Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, chief executive of Alenia's parent company Finmeccanica, at the show yesterday.
The contract follows a previous upgrade of six MB-339As already in service with the UAE display team, The Knights.
The upgrade include removing tip tanks, modifying the fuel system, and installing smoke generators. The six aircraft already in service were modified by Alenia Aermacchi in the UAE, but the second batch of four ex-Italian air force MB-339As are being converted and overhauled by Alenia Aermacchi in Venegono, where the display team's black and gold livery will be applied.
The work will be completed by the beginning of next year.
Meanwhile, Italian press reports say that a number of UAE pilots are being trained at in Italy with Italian air force MB-339A and former Italian display team pilots.
Guarguaglini reaffirmed that contract negotiations are ongoing with UAE for the new Alenia Aermacchi advanced trainer, the M-346 Master.
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Source: Flight Daily News
