Israel is left behind

Game Discussion General Discussion
,
1
[Would you like to see the I derby ER presented for aircrafts?]
  • Yes
  • No (explain why)
0 voters

For the past 2 or 3 majors Israel didn’t get nothing to improve their air capabilities, no new missiles nor top tier jets.
Due to the lack of competitive abilities from the Israeli air tech tree I think it’s only fair and balanced for it to get the I derby ER missile for their jets.

Possible jets to use the I derby ER:
F16c barak 2 (the official cite of Rafael states that the f16 can carry the I derby ER although it doesn’t state a specific variant so practically it could carry it)

F16d barak 2 (pictures, says ״ברק״ which means “barak” on the hard point )

Kfir c.10 blk 60 (source in “details” + screenshot)

F16I sufa (same as the f16c barak 2)

M346fa(as stated on Rafael’s main site, not relate with the Israeli tech tree)

Spoiler

Pictures:

IMG_2307
IMG_23071024×547 80.5 KB

IMG_2303
IMG_2304
Block60
IMG_2306
IMG_23061179×2556 390 KB

Spoiler

Sources:
- https://youtu.be/PMAZ8tFs71Y?si=57OSv7pXOjHjKUiw

- La Fuerza Aérea de Colombia incorpora el misil I-Derby ER-noticia defensa.com - Noticias Defensa defensa.com Colombia

- https://www.rafael.co.il/system/i-derby-er/

1 Like
2

israel boring copy paste tree zzzz

2 Likes
3

What Israel definitely needs are aircraft like the Sufa with AESA radar, the F-15IA also with AESA radar, etc.
I support adding the I-Derby-ER and Python 4 missiles for these aircraft, but Israel urgently needs its 14.3/14.7 aircraft; it’s literally the only nation that doesn’t have those BRs. I have said repeatedly that the only aircraft with that technology (Kfir C.10 Blk 60) could be a 13.7/14 br if it had those missiles and was more realistic mechanics, but it is true that Israel still lacks domestically produced aircraft with itself armament and avionics.

1 Like
4

They’re China but they completely lack Rank 1-3, so you have to grind another nation just to unlock them. They’re just China but harder to unlock. Should’ve been a sub tree within the U.S.

2 Likes
5

Im going to be brutally honest. I dont think I-Derby for any of these airframes is a good idea.

I dont know how I-Derby performs, but the last thing you want to risk is any BR increases, None of those F-16s have AESA which is a notable advantage and the Kfic C10 is lacking in hardpoints even more so than the F-16s. I have no idea how they would perform comparitively speaking, but if they are good, then they would likely result in said BR increases

On something like the F-15I (Which you havent listed there) maybe, but would still be at a considerable disadvantage to the F-15C GE.

Dont get me wrong. Israel is screwed at top tier at the moment, but I cant help feel that a BR increase for any of those stated aircraft would be a net loss at the moment, where their current lower BR would be healthier

Exactly this, Israel needs these weapons on an airframe that is at least on-par with other top tier aircraft to begin with. Starting with something with AESA.

6

Weapons is a matter of balance by developer’s decision, M-346I, which is the M-346 Master variant operated by Israel is the trainer only variant, though it can integrate advanced weapons, this airplane is only limited to BDU-33, AIM-9L and ATM-9L as far as I’m aware from imagery sources:

image
image1200×812 231 KB

image

And as you can see FFAR launchers as well, but I’m not aware of which variant its. M-346I Master information are rather vague, I’ve tried to make a suggestion of the airplane based of information from the M-346FA which was promptly rejected because it lacked information for the M-346I specifically, M-346I would need to be handheld by the M-346FA, which is unrealistic since the M-346I is a Israeli modification based of the M-346AJT.

Misc, Rejected suggestion post
Israeli-made weapons list for the M-346I which I consider being realistic for balance and implementation of the airplane 
<table>
	<tr>
		<th>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</th>
		<th>RIGHT WING</th>
		<th>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</th>
		<th>FUSELAGE</th>
		<th>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</th>
		<th>LEFT WING</th>
		<th>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</th>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Central</td>
		<td>Inboard</td>
		<td>Ventral</td>
		<td>Inboard</td>
		<td>Central</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Leonardo/Nexter Systems 20 mm 20M621 cannon pod⁽¹⁵⁾***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems SPEAR AECM electronic countermeasure⁽¹⁶⁾***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RAFAEL ADS RecceLite reconnaissance pod⁽¹⁷⁾***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RAFAEL ADS RecceLite reconnaissance pod⁽¹⁷⁾***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Luggage pod***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>630 l External fuel tanks***</td>
		<td>630 l External fuel tanks***</td>
		<td>630 l External fuel tanks***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon/Philco-Ford AIM-9L Sidewinder SRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>Raytheon/Philco-Ford AIM-9L Sidewinder SRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon/Philco-Ford ATM-9L Sidewinder SRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>Raytheon/Philco-Ford ATM-9L Sidewinder SRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RAFAEL ADS I-Derby ER MRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ*</td>
		<td>RAFAEL ADS I-Derby ER MRAAM***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>FPR-14 AACMI training pod</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>FPR-14 AACMI training pod</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Delfasco BDU-33 (25 lb) PB***</td>
		<td>Delfasco BDU-33 (25 lb) PB***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Delfasco BDU-33 (25 lb) PB***</td>
		<td>Delfasco BDU-33 (25 lb) PB***</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 2 (500 lb) LGB</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 2 (500 lb) LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 2 (500 lb) LGB</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 2 (500 lb) LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 4 (500 lb) GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 4 (500 lb) GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 4 (500 lb) GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>Elbit Systems Lizard 4 (500 lb) GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 FF (500 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 FF (500 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 FF (500 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 FF (500 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 HD (500lb) Snakeye GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 HD (500lb) Snakeye GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 HD (500lb) Snakeye GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 82 HD (500lb) Snakeye GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 83 (1000 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 83 (1000 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 83 (1000 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>RWM Italia/Elbit Systems Mk 83 (1000 lb) GPB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-12 (500 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-12 (500 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-12 (500 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-12 (500 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-16 (1000 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-16 (1000 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-16 (1000 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-16 (1000 lb) Paveway II LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-32 (1000 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-32 (1000 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-32 (1000 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>Boeing GBU-32 (1000 lb) JDAM</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-49 (500 lb) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-49 (500 lb) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-49 (500 lb) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>Raytheon RTX GBU-49 (500 lb) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>IAI SPICE 250 (250 lb) EO/GPS</td>
		<td>IAI SPICE 250 (250 lb) EO/GPS</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>IAI SPICE 250 (250 lb) EO/GPS</td>
		<td>IAI SPICE 250 (250 lb) EO/GPS</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)**</td>
		<td>Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)**</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)**</td>
		<td>Small Diameter Bomb (SDB)**</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>FZ 70 mm LAU-32 FFAR launcher</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>FZ 70 mm LAU-32 FFAR launcher</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
	<tr>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Arnold Defense 70 mm LAU-68 FFAR launcher</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
		<td>Arnold Defense 70 mm LAU-68 FFAR launcher</td>
		<td>ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ</td>
	</tr>
</table>

*I couldn't find information exactly if the Alenia Aermacchi M-346I Master can carry guided missiles in its inboard pylons.

**An unspecified Small Diameter Bomb is listed, presumably the models Boeing GBU-39/B (SDB I) and/or Raytheon RTX GBU-53/B (SDB II).
Structure of the rejected suggestion post 
[poll type=regular results=always chartType=bar]
# Would you like to see this in-game?
* Yes
* No
[/poll]

![lavi_introimage|1000x665](upload://aDw1KMuPQpSxcBjC3T6zjKnkWwH.webp)
*M-346I* [(Source)](https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-plane-in-billion-dollar-deal-with-italy-lands-in-israel/)⁽¹⁾

---

[details="Background"]

The history of the **Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master** can be traced back to the Soviet Union in April 1990, when concerns were raised by Soviet Air Force Commander-in-Chief **Alexandr Nikolaevich Yefimov**⁽²⁾ regarding the replacement of the ageing Czechoslovak-made **Aero L-29 Delfín** and **Aero L-39 Albatros** trainers. These aircraft could no longer meet the requirements for training pilots to operate both contemporary and forthcoming next-generation aircraft of the **Soviet Air Force** (VVS). By June 1990, a final resolution had been issued tasking the **Mikoyan Experimental Design Bureau** (Mikoyan OKB) with the development of a new trainer aircraft, and in January 1991 the formal UTS (Uchebno-Trenirovochnyi Samolyot) trainer competition was launched.⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾

![mig-at|1000x625](upload://nEMkXm6yyElZ202jgHvVDgKVWby.jpeg)
*MiG-AT* [(Source)](https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/mikoyan-mig-at/)⁽⁵⁾

In June 1995 the **Yak/AEM-130D** as static display, it was first shown to the public at the **Le Bourget air show**, a year before its 38-minute maiden flight at **Zhukovsky Airfield** in April 1996, flown by the chief test pilot **Andrey Aleksandrovich Sinitsyn**.⁽⁴⁾ The airplane showed considerable promise, and under the agreement between the two companies Aermacchi obtained the rights to modify and market the design in Western markets. As a result of the programme's success, the **Yak/AEM-130** brought to Italy the following year as a prospective replacement for the ageing **Aermacchi MB-339** and the newly formed **Russian Air Force** (VKS) announced plans to procure up to 200 airplanes.⁽⁶⁾

![yakaem130d|800x515](upload://nzYY24ya1yhchYqF75BjpMNDNOC.jpeg)
*Yak/AEM-130D* [(Source)](https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/3948047488)⁽⁷⁾

By October 1998, financial reports indicated that the **Yak/AEM-130** programme was becoming **increasingly Italian-led** as Russia's financial difficulties **limited its participation** in the joint Yakovlev-Aermacchi venture. At the same time, the Italian government announced plans to allocate approximately **$241 million** over the coming years to fund the airplane's continued development.⁽⁸⁾ This marked the beginning of the **Aermacchi M-346 Master** independent development. While it continued to be developed alongside the **Yakovlev Yak-130**, the airplane was tailored for **NATO and Western export markets**. As result, it diverged significantly from the **Yak/AEM-130** design by incorporating **Western-built systems** throughout, including new engines, dedicated full-mission simulator and a new digital flight-control system.⁽⁹⁾

![m346|1000x750](upload://ovIBkJraOAPGslVpEXR6h6t1lFc.jpeg)
*Aermacchi M-346 Master* [(Source)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aermacchi_M-346-002%28w%29.jpg)⁽¹⁰⁾

The **Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master** has proven to be a highly capable airplane throughout its operational service. Around **100 airplanes built**, with more than **150 airplanes ordered**⁽¹¹⁾. Although production numbers remain below those of its sibling, the **Yakovlev Yak-130** with roughly **210 airplanes built**, the  **Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master** is nevertheless the **second most-produced** next-generation trainer airplane with the **Israeli Air Force** (IAF) as the type's **largest operator**, fielding around 30 **Alenia Aermacchi M-346I Master** under the designation *Lavi* (**לָבִיא**, "Lion Cub" or "Lion"), where the aircraft serves exclusively in the advanced training role.⁽¹⁾

![image|1000x666](upload://7iYp63Clc1X8CGEHCAVVCInFQmH.jpeg)
*M-346I* [(Source)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M-346.jpg)⁽¹²⁾

[/details]

[details="Specifications"]

*Alenia Aermacchi M-346I Master load-out*
![m346i_loadoutcover|1000x361](upload://upEO1fgf29ZM6WmQuAI92GbtBSi.png)

*Alenia Aermacchi M-346FA Master load-out*
![m346fa_loadoutcover|1000x361](upload://eOMoRqCpN2CokujHKfqUvLI5rW4.png)

[/details]

[details="Sources"]

1. *Final plane in billion-dollar deal with Italy lands in Israel* by I. Zion, 2016 at [timesofisrael.com](https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-plane-in-billion-dollar-deal-with-italy-lands-in-israel/) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260523143153/https://www.timesofisrael.com/final-plane-in-billion-dollar-deal-with-italy-lands-in-israel/)

2. *UTS trainer competition: Yak-130, MiG-AT, Sukhoi S-54, Myasishchev M-200* by Tuomasn, 2006 at [secretprojects.co.uk](https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/uts-trainer-competition-yak-130-mig-at-sukhoi-s-54-myasishchev-m-200.27/post-792) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20231206152012/https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/uts-trainer-competition-yak-130-mig-at-sukhoi-s-54-myasishchev-m-200.27/)

3. *Russia’s tenacious trainer* by A. Mladenov, 2018 at [keymilitary.com](https://www.keymilitary.com/article/russias-tenacious-trainer) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260523181051/https://www.keymilitary.com/article/russias-tenacious-trainer)

4. *Yak-130 Combat Trainer of New Century* by JSC A.S. Yakovlev Design Bureau, 2005 at `yak.ru` // [(Archived)](https://web.archive.org/web/20220214161616/http://www.yak.ru/ENG/FIRM/art_switch.php?art=4)

5. *Mikoyan MIG-AT*  by Aero Corner editorial team, 2021 at [aerocorner.com](https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/mikoyan-mig-at/) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260305082408/https://aerocorner.com/aircraft/mikoyan-mig-at/)

6. *Yak/Aermacchi trainer funds released; Russia will buy up to 200*, by Aviation Week editorial team, 1996 at [aviationweek.com](https://aviationweek.com/yakaermacchi-trainer-funds-released-russia-will-buy-200) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260523202943/https://aviationweek.com/yakaermacchi-trainer-funds-released-russia-will-buy-200)

7. *Yak 130 '296' (0240000013) Paris Air Show 1995*, by emdjt42, 2009 at [flickr.com](https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/3948047488) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260523204146/https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/3948047488)

8. *Italy studies the Yak/AEM-130 as Russia falters*, by FlightGlobal editorial team, 1998 at [flightglobal.com](https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/1998/10/italy-studies-the-yak-aem-130-as-russia-falters/) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260524043541/https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/1998/10/italy-studies-the-yak-aem-130-as-russia-falters/)

9. *Aermacchi assembles M-346 trainer team to replace Russians*, by FlightGlobal editorial team, 2000 at [flightglobal.com](https://www.flightglobal.com/aircraft-programmes/2000/08/aermacchi-assembles-m-346-trainer-team-to-replace-russians/) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260217094606/https://www.flightglobal.com/aermacchi-assembles-m-346-trainer-team-to-replace-russians-/33550.article)

10. *Second Prototype M-346 at Le Bourget 2005 - air show*, by O. Bichel, 2005 at [commons.wikimedia.org](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aermacchi_M-346-002%28w%29.jpg) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20250613011807/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Aermacchi_M-346-002(w).jpg)

11. *Leonardo delivered the final batch of four M-346 aircraft to Polish Air Force* by Leonardo S.p.A. editorial team, 2022 at [aeronautics.leonardo.com](https://aeronautics.leonardo.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/leonardo-m346-polish-air-force_news) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260524060101/https://aeronautics.leonardo.com/en/news-and-stories-detail/-/detail/leonardo-m346-polish-air-force_news) 

12. *An Israeli Air Force Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master "Lavi" of the 102nd Squadron Taxi back to ramp in Hatzerim Airbase* by N. Gershuni-Aylho, 2022 at [commons.wikimedia.org](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M-346.jpg) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260524054646/https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:M-346.jpg)

[/details]

---

Notes:

It's included archived versions of all sources webpage. They're optional to access, but I decided to provide them to preserve information used in this suggestion post in case the original pages are altered or became unavailable in the future. `yak.ru` doesn't work anymore, that's why the hotlink is unavailable, an archived version-only is available.
Integration of Israeli-built systems, why is referred as M-346I 
Elbit Systems SkyBreaker full-mission simulator and operational flight simulator in one system part of an IAI and Elbit Systems joint programme under the Advanced Flight Training which includes a Ground Based Training System (GBTS) provided by Elbit Systems to integrate Israeli-made and other weapons such like the Delfasco BDU-33 (25 lb) PB, IAI SPICE 250 (250 lb) EO/GPS and RAFAEL ADS I-Derby ER MRAAM.

19. *Trainer Jets for Israel: From the Skyhawk, to the M-346 Lavi* by Defense Industry Daily editorial team, 2015 at [defenseindustrydaily.com](https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/trainer-jets-for-israel-05105/) // [(Archive)](https://web.archive.org/web/20260524210321/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/trainer-jets-for-israel-05105/)

https://web.archive.org/web/20260524210321/https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/trainer-jets-for-israel-05105/
7

Exactly. The Merkavas were originally US vehicles in WT and if you look at Israel’s other domestic contributions (i.e. unique, non-copy paste vehicles), they all fit very nicely in gaps in the US tree. The US doesnt have any spike IFVs and the TCM would be perfect for the US.

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