Malaysia takes first MB-339CM trainers
Alenia Aermacchi has delivered the first two MB-339CM trainers to the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
These are part of an order for eight trainers that the service made with the Finmeccanica subsidiary in late 2006.
The six remaining aircraft are likely to be delivered over the the course of 2009. The RMAF will use them as the lead-in fighter trainers for its new generation fighters such as the Sukhoi SU-30MKM.
Aermacchi says that the CM variant is equipped with an advanced avionic system including embedded training simulation, a digital map and new and modern safety devices.
The aircraft, which is based on the MB-339CD that is in use with the Italian Air Force, will replace the RMAF's fleet of MB-339As that have been in service for over 20 years.
