The first flight of the first M-346A Bielik of the third batch ordered by the Polish Air Force was made today, Thursday 30 December 2021. The test flight was completed without problems and lasted 50 minutes.
On 27 February 2014 Poland signed a €280 million contract with Alenia Aermacchi for 8 M-346 Master advanced training jets with an option for four. The first two Masters arrived in Poland accompanied by Team Iskry on November 14, 2016. The first eight M346 Bielik, as the aicraft is named in Polish Air Force service, were delivered between November 2016 and October 2017.
In March 2018, Poland signed the contract for the additional four aircraft
and support package, plus an option on four more aircraft.
The original option of four M346s was delivered between October and November 2020.
On 3 February 2021, Leonardo announced that the contract for the second option on four M346s was signed with the final delivery scheduled before the end of 2022. This will bring the total number to sixteen.
Actually the twelve Polish Air Force M436s are operated by the 48. Eskadra Lotnicza (48.el)/4. Skrzydło Lotnictwa Szkolnego (4.SLSz, 4th Flying Training Wing) at Dêblin air base.