Austria and Italy intend to purchase Leonardo M-346 aircraft

8 September, 2024 T-346A jet trainer. Photo credits: Alenia Austria plans to purchase Leonardo M-346 training aircraft together with Italy.

Scramble reported this. The new aircraft are intended to replace the obsolete J105O training aircraft manufactured by the Swedish company Saab in the Austrian Air Force. In addition to the Italian Leonardo M-346, Austria is also considering purchasing the Aero Vodochody L-39NG and Saab/Boeing T-7.

M-346 of the International Flight Training School (IFTS).

Photo from open source

Due to the more attractive terms offered by the Italian manufacturer, the Austrian government decided to hold more detailed discussions about purchasing the M-346. One of Leonardo's conditions is a joint purchase of this aircraft type with the Italian Ministry of Defense. This will significantly reduce the cost of purchasing new aircraft in the long run.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the deadline for signing the contract is approaching. Currently, the issue of replacing J105O training aircraft is quite urgent, as new pilots are being trained by the International Flight Training School (IFTS) at the Decimomannu air base in Sardinia, Italy.

M-346FT aircraft. Photo from open source

The training is being conducted on M-346 aircraft, which is no coincidence, as it is already quite obvious what type of aircraft will be purchased.

Austria plans to purchase a total of 12 new aircraft as part of the AJT program to upgrade its training fleet. They will be based at the Hirsching airbase near Linz and become part of the fleet. Militarnyi previously reported that the Netherlands and Austria are purchasing a total of nine Brazilian C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft.

According to the agreement, five aircraft will be delivered to the Royal Netherlands Air Force, and four will go to the Austrian Air Force.