Israel to buy 30 Italian jets for air force

Italian Alenia Aermacchi M-346 training jet

Israel will purchase dozens of Italian-made jets to revamp the IAF training program, Walla News reported.

The ministerial procurement committee on Monday approved the deal, in which the Defense Ministry will purchase 30 Aermacchi M-346 Master planes for the air force pilot training school at a cost of more than NIS 4 billion.

In return, the Italian government will purchase some NIS 4 billion worth of equipment from Israel’s security industry.

The deal will lead to the replacement of the IAF’s aging Skyhawk trainers, which for 40 years have been the mainstay of the air force’s advanced jet training program.

Source :http://www.timesofisrael.com