On Tuesday, 16 May 2023, the Minister of National Defence Mr Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos attended the special delivery event of the first two modern training aircraft M-346, held at the International Flight Training Centre, at the 120 Air Training Wing in Kalamata.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr Nikolaos Hardalias, the Chief/HNDGS General Konstantinos Floros, the Chief/HAFGS Lieutenant General Themistoklis Bourolias, the Director General of Defence Armaments and Investments Vice Admiral (ret.) Aristeidis Alexopoulos, the Head of the International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) of the Defence Ministry of Israel Brigadier General (ret.) Yair Kulas, the Chief/AF of Israel Commander in Chief Tomer Bar, the Executive Vice President, International Marketing & Business Development of “Elbit Systems” Mr Ran Kril, as well as the Director General for Aerospace of “Elbit Systems” Mr Yoram Shmuely.

The Ambassador of Israel in Greece Mr Noam Katz, the Italian Ambassadress in Greece Ms Patrizia Falcinelli, representatives of the Hellenic Air Force, representatives of the Italian construction company of M-346 “Leonardo”, the Regional Governor of the Peloponnese Mr Panagiotis Nikas, the Mayor of Kalamata Mr Athanasios Vasilopoulos, the Mayor of Messini Mr Georgios Athanasopoulos and other representatives of the Region and Local Self-Government also attended the event.

During his address, the Minister of National Defence pointed out that the establishment of the Centre is a milestone, because through the new training aircraft, the infrastructures and the new flight simulators, the Air Force enters a new era for the training of the new Pilots.

Mr Panagiotopoulos also pointed out that the new International Flight Training Centre is the capstone of efforts, having as a principle the achievement of the best solution, that will significantly upgrade the quality of flight training provided to the new Greek pilots, whereas in a short period the Centre will be a pole of attraction for other countries’ pilots training as well.

During his address, the Minister of National Defence pointed out the following:

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: “Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to say a few words in Greek before my main address in English, because it is never enough when I speak of Kalamata.

So, the flight training of the Air Force aviators is conducted, as we know, for 32 years at the 120 Air Training Wing in Kalamata. As we speak, the Wing is responsible for the basic training, that is the T-6 “Texan” propelled aircraft and the advanced and operational training, that is the T-2 of the Air Force Aviation Cadets and second lieutenants.

But in the last ten years, the Air Force faced serious problems regarding the availability of the above flight means due to obsolescence of the material, of T-2 aircraft and the lack of follow-on support contracts concerning T-6 aircraft. As a result the training was delayed, as well as the incorporation of the new Aviators in war squadrons. Soon, as the experts more than me know, the operational life of T-2 would expire too, and then, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to predict that the dead end would be fatal, unacceptable for an air force of the Hellenic Air Force quality.

So, we decided that the establishment of a flight training centre through a contractor, who would also undertake the maintenance of the existing flight means, was the most suitable and financially beneficial solution and therefore it was forwarded.

Secondly, we decided that the project of the training centre involves the training of the Aviation Cadets and second lieutenants of the Air Force and the future attraction of other countries as well, regarding the training of their respective aviation personnel.

It is also pointed out that the 120 Air Training Wing, and currently the International Flight Training Centre, has a range of special positive characteristics, that is the geographic location, climate conditions among other things, which make the above perspective especially optimistic.

So today, after many years of delays and difficulties, the air training in our country is essentially upgraded, thus providing the Air Force a faster and more qualitative performance of the most important asset it possesses, that is the aviation personnel. It is almost certain that with the right projection, our new centre will be a pole of attraction for many air forces of the wider Mediterranean region countries and beyond. Various allies and partners from other countries have already expressed interest.

So today, the first two M-346 aircraft are delivered, which constitute the most modern training platform for the advanced and operational training of the Air Force aviators.

I believe this type of aircraft is just the right and suitable one to support the flight training project of the Aviators of an Air Force which already receives in its available assets the new upgraded “Viper” F-16, 83 in total in a few years and 24 “Rafale” beginning next year. In a few years it will possess the F-35 fifth generation aircraft. No other course could be followed.

Another parameter that we surely took under consideration for our last decision is the cooperation of our country with Israel in the defence sector which is becoming all the more powerful. The inauguration of this so important project today is another confirmation of this relation of strategic nature.

Also, the provided flight training conducted in this new centre, which is of absolute high quality due to the internationally acknowledged high level of the aviation and technical personnel of both Greece and Israel.

Ladies and gentlemen, to conclude, today we essentially inaugurate the new era of the training of Aviators, that is the new era in the future of the Air Force.

I would like to congratulate, from the bottom of my heart, all those who contributed in the implementation of this very important project. The military and political leadership was, I would say, determined and focused in the objective to proceed. But I also have to make a special reference to a man whose contribution, especially in the phase of support and evaluation of proposals in order to take a difficult decision, the ex Chief/HAFGS General Georgios Blioumis, who proved to be a valuable partner, especially during the support of this important project, from the stages of its approval by the Hellenic Parliament and the Committees, as well as during its evaluation phase”.

A translation of the Minister of National Defence address follows in English:

NIKOLAOS PANAGIOTOPOULOS: “Honourable guests, ladies and gentlemen, today is another important day for the Hellenic Air Force and I am honoured to be here with you today, at the facilities of the new International Flight Training Centre in Kalamata, for today’s ceremony, since our Air Force receives two out of ten, in total, of the M-346 aircraft.

Today’s ceremony marks a milestone, a new flight training centre with new infrastructures, in which the new flights simulators will be established soon and will introduce the Air Force to a new era, regarding our new pilots’ flight training.

Besides, that is a necessity, not only due to the demanding and complex modern environment of the air operations, but also the need for the new pilots’ training to focus on new technologies and tactics.

For this reason, it is absolutely clear and demanding for us that the Hellenic Air Force proceeds with a crucial modernisation of its overall flight training project.

The new International Flight Training Centre is a result of many efforts of the Hellenic State, the Ministry of National Defence, to achieve the best possible solution for the training of the new pilots of the Hellenic Air Force.

The Israeli side and “Elbit Systems” provided the very adaptable and understandable approach regarding the flight training sector. Our ambition is that the International Flight Training Centre will provide basic, advanced and functional flight training to all aviators and second lieutenants for a period of 22 years, using T-6 and M-346 aircraft.

The Centre also involves many vanguards and innovations, thus creating a new training content, while at the same time, it will make the whole procedure worthy and beneficial for our Air Force. In addition, this agreement involves crucial sub-projects regarding support services, for a period of 20 years, like the activation of the majority of the fleet of T-6 “Texan”, the procurement of ten new advanced M-346 aircraft, as well as the procurement of modern simulators.

It also involves the upgrade of various crucial facilities and infrastructures at the 120 Air Training Wing, the construction of new buildings and infrastructures of air support. All these will contribute to the establishment of a bright new infrastructure, suitable for advanced and state of the art training. It further involves the full training for all Greeks, aviators and technicians. The theoretical and practical flight training of the Centre will be of high quality, in harmonisation with the quality standards and the operational needs of the Hellenic Air Force.

Our ambition is that this Centre will soon become a pole of attraction for other air forces as well, to train their pilots and to benefit from the state of the art facilities and services.

The most important thing is that it will bring revenue in the Hellenic Air Force and international prestige to the training centre, since the International Flight Training Centre indeed constitutes the biggest agreement and the most strategic project in the sector of defence cooperation between Greece and Israel to this day.

It also shows the strong will to explore, strengthen and deepen the strategic defence cooperation between our two countries.

This cooperation is not only a result of consistency or joint exercises, but it also assures high quality training. It is, in fact, a direct investment to the personnel and the future of our Air Force.

This important project will undoubtedly benefit both sides at the operational level as well. The exchange of experience and operational knowledge between the Greek and the Israeli Air Force regarding flight training is extremely valuable and will enhance our operational capabilities and the spirit of cooperation among the pilots of our two countries, the two of the best Air Forces worldwide. So, two of the best worldwide will cooperate more closely and will be better and stronger together.

Today, our wider region faces important challenges and risks. Our countries are internationally considered strong stability and security pillars in the Mediterranean and beyond. Our friendship and close relationship operates dynamically towards revisionism and destabilising factors and behaviours. We want to reinforce this relationship in every possible way. The full respect of International Law and the establishment of peace and security in the wider region is our immediate priority.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Our new pilots will be now trained with the best possible assets, at the most modern facilities and at the highest possible level, assuring that the Air Force will always be strong, capable and decisive in defending our national interests, using fully and tremendously increasing its operational capabilities.

Finally, concluding, I would like to thank and congratulate all those who worked, contributed and keep working so that this project becomes real. Their dedication and commitment paved the way for a new era and a bright future for the Hellenic Air Force, for our Armed Forces.

Thank you very much”.

Next, the Deputy Minister of National Defence made the following address to the representatives of the Press:

NIKOLAOS HARDALIAS: “I believe it is a special day for the Air Force, but mainly for our Kalamata, our Messini. The training of our pilots, our Aviation Cadets is upgraded.

I believe the new conditions, the new perspectives are both obvious and special. It is proven once again, through strong alliances, that our country appears stronger, a protagonist in the wider region.

We are very happy that after contradictions of many years, with determination, the Hellenic Government, the Ministry of National Defence, along with the staffs, in cooperation with our counterparts in Israel, have completed a very important project, concerning not only the training of the new Aviation Cadets, but also the change of the flight and training conditions in the wider region.

We welcome our new aircraft. I wish a good start for the new international flight training centre here in Kalamata”.