Defense & Security Thailand 2019: Leonardo exhibits a mockup of its next generation trainer.

Leonardo Aerospace, Defense & Security is positioning its Aermacchi M-345 Next Generation Trainer aircraft to meet a requirement in the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the company confirmed to Army Recognition at the Defense and Security Thailand 2019 exhibition in Bangkok. Leonardo Aerospace, Defense & Security is positioning its Aermacchi M-345 Next Generation Trainer aircraft to meet a requirement in the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), the company confirmed to Army Recognition at the Defense and Security Thailand 2019 exhibition in Bangkok.

Leonardo next-generation trainer M-345 at Defense & Security Thailand 2019 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

A Leonardo representative said the M-345 is being positioned for the RTAF program to replace the service's Pilatus PC-9 turboprop training aircraft. The RTAF's Flying Training School in Kamphaeng Saen has operated more than 20 PC-9s since the early 1990s. A formal program to replace the type is expected to materialize in the next two years.

Leonardo said the M-345's ability to perform a light attack role will provide additional capability to the RTAF above those offered by a traditional basic trainer platform.

The PC-9 replacement program is regarded as a continuation of the RTAF's efforts to modernize its training and light attack aircraft.

The new Aermacchi M-345 is the latest-generation training platform from Leonardo Aircraft, ideally suited for the entire training syllabus, from basic to advanced phases.

The M-345 has been developed exploiting all the consolidated experience gained by Leonardo Aircraft in designing and manufacturing its wide family of trainer aircraft in the past 60 years.

The aircraft is fitted with simple, essential systems for maximum safety and reliability with minimum maintenance needs. As a result, the M-345 is a turbofan-powered high-efficiency trainer with life-cycle costs comparable to those of heavy turboprop trainers but with better performance.