Leonardo has signed a contract to supply 12 M-346 multirole aircraft to the Austrian Air Force, strengthening Austria’s air defence and advanced pilot training capabilities while further expanding the Italian aerospace group’s international footprint, the company said Wednesday.
The contract, signed with Italy’s Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness, covers aircraft delivered in the new M-346 F Block 20 configuration, as well as a comprehensive support and training package. This includes full-flight and ground-based simulation systems for pilots and maintenance technicians, an initial stock of spare parts and ground equipment, and logistical and maintenance support for six years following the delivery of the first aircraft, scheduled for 2028.
Under the agreement, Austria will receive M-346s equipped with significant capability upgrades, including cockpits featuring large-area displays, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, Link 16 data links, electronic countermeasures and new weapons systems. The aircraft will be supplied in a light fighter configuration, enabling both advanced training and operational missions.
The M-346 F Block 20 will replace the Saab 105, retired from Austrian service in 2020, and will serve a dual role as an advanced trainer and a platform for lower-intensity air defence operations. In addition to training missions, the aircraft will be capable of air-to-air and air-to-surface operations and will feature aerial refuelling capability, offering Austria increased flexibility in national airspace protection and pilot preparation.
The deal follows earlier contracts signed in 2022 and 2023 for the supply of 36 AW169M light utility helicopters to the Austrian Ministry of Defence, and builds on Austria’s decision to use Italy’s International Flight Training School in Decimomannu for fighter pilot training. Leonardo said the M-346, which forms the backbone of the school, has demonstrated its effectiveness as a bridge to fifth-generation fighters such as the Eurofighter and F-35.
Leonardo noted that orders for the M-346 now total nearly 160 aircraft, with 20 countries selecting the platform for advanced training or light multirole fighter roles, underscoring the growing international adoption of the aircraft and its integrated training system.