30 M346 advanced trainer aircraft were purchased by Israel's Ministry of Defense Procurement Administration on behalf of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in 2014. The last of the planes were delivered today, just two years after the contract was signed.
At a formal ceremony this morning, Ministry of Defense Deputy Director General Shmuel Tzuker thanked the Italian Defense Industries:
"I can't remember a deal of this size that was completed without delays and with so much appreciation. The Lavi contract opened opportunities for deals between Israeli, American and Italian industries. The Israeli Air Force is now the world's largest user of the M346 plane. We love the plane, trust it and believe in it."