Honeywell, as part of the International Turbine Engine Company LLC, has signed a contract to supply its F124-GA-200 turbofan engines for the Israel Ministry of Defense’s (IMOD) new 30-strong Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master advanced jet trainer fleet. The contract is worth approximately $735 million and includes engine supply and after-market support.

The purchase of the F124-powered M-346 by the IMOD comes at a time when numerous defence departments, including that of the United States, are evaluating new training platforms to simulate the latest fighter aircraft such as the F-22, F-35, Eurofighter, Gripen and Rafale.

With more than 7,00,000 flight hours across the entire F124/F125 engine family to date, the F124-GA-200 engines will deliver proven and reliable propulsion performance to the IMOD’s M-346 fleet.

The F124/F125 family is now selected by five international defence departments, with operational status on Taiwan’s Indigenous Defense Fighter and the Czech Air Force’s L159 light combat aircraft. The F124 will also power M-346 fleets recently purchased by the Italian Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force when they enter service in 2013.

The deal was signed between Honeywell on behalf of the International Turbine Engine Company LLC, a joint venture between Honeywell, AIDC and NDIDF; the IMOD; and TOR, an Israeli joint venture between Elbit Systems and Israeli Aerospace Industries.