The event involved the Polish Ministry’s of Defence Secretary of State, Bartosz Kownacki, who stressed the importance of the technological modernization of the Polish Army. At the same time, the Polish official expressed the Poland’s will to expand the cooperation with Italy, in the domains of military and economic development.

M-346 Master jets constitute the core of the AJT system, acquired by Poland on the basis of a contract signed back in February 2014, the value of which is defined as PLN 1,167 billion. The agreement includes procurement of 8 jets, with optional acquisition of another 4 airframes. The jets are acquired together with an operational support package, IT system and full technical documentation.

We are procuring a full training system, however the trainer will be just another jet, while some of the pilots will be trained on a simulator, in direct communication with the jets staying in the air, not only with the M-346, but also with our F-16s (...) The fact that these are combat-trainer airplanes is the most important one. Should it be required, they may be used in combat, not only does this constitute refinement of the training system, but it also improves the potential which remains at disposal of the Polish Air Force.

General Mirosław Różanski, as quoted by the Polish Press Agency, announced in February this year that Masters could be employed in combat, should such need arise. Initially, however, Poland acquired the jets in an unarmed variant. Potential adjustment of the airframe for using the armament would entail additional costs.

READ MORE: Radom Air Show 2015: Armed Master Would Replace The Su-22?

The first examples of the Master AJT are expected to land in Dęblin this year. At the moment, the infrastructure related to the AJT programme, located in Dęblin, is being expanded, also within the scope of creating a simulator centre. The centre is going to receive a complex FMS simulator, pilot tasks simulator and a computerized training support system, along with a simulator of the SW-4 Puszczyk helicopter.