JAPAN HAS signed an agreement with Leonardo for the provision of military operational flight training services which will see Japanese pilots participate in the advanced training courses (Phase Ⅳ) at the company's International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Italy. Announcing the deal on October 26, Leonardo stated that the IFTS is a joint project with the Italian Air Force that also includes an industrial partnership with CAE for the maintenance and support of the fleet of 22 T-346A aircraft as well as simulators. The newly signed technical arrangement enables a gradual increase in Japan Air Self-Defense Force student pilot intake over the coming years, with the potential for Japanese instructors to join the programme in future. Japan's interest in the training capabilities developed by the Italian Air Force was firmed up after a series of discussions that culminated in a visit to the 61st Wing at Lecce-Galatina Air Force Base in September 2020.
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