Singapore has inaugurated its fleet of Alenia Aermacchi M-346 trainer jets used by its Air Force training squadron at a base in France.

The aircraft replaces the A-4SE Super Skyhawk previously used by Singapore's 150 Squadron at Cazaux Air Base.

"It (the new aircraft) allows our trainee pilots to be able to be exposed to air combat environments within the cockpit -- they can be simulated, as in handling electronic warfare systems, multi-mode radar and beyond-visual-range missiles, early in their training," Singaporean Defense Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen said at a ceremony at the French Air Force base. "And I think this will enhance the quality and realism of our flying training, and allow us to produce fighter aircrew that are well-equipped to operate current and future fighter platforms."

The M-346 is a transonic trainer/light attack jet based on the Yak-130, and was developed as a result of a joint venture between Yakovlev and Alenia Aermacchi. It has a maximum seed of 590 knots and a range of 1,070 miles.

Singapore received its first M-346 in 2012 and now operates a fleet of 12 trainers. It began training its pilots in France in 1998.