Twelve M-346 F multirole aircraft ordered for the Austrian Air Force

Leonardo has been contracted by the Italian Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness to supply 12 M-346 multirole aircraft for the Austrian Air Force (Luftstreitkräfte), the company announced on 17 December 2025.

The contract includes aircraft supplied in the light fighter configuration under the new M-346 F Block 20 standard, equipped with cockpits featuring a large area display (LAD), an active electronically scanned-array (AESA) radar, a Link 16 datalink, electronic countermeasures and new weapon systems. The contract also covers a complete suite of simulation systems, an initial stock of spare parts, ground equipment and logistics/maintenance support for six years following delivery of the first aircraft.

The new contract follows the Austrian Ministry of Defence’s decision to rely upon the International Flight Training School based in Decimomannu, Sardinia, which is a joint venture between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force and uses the M-346 as the backbone of its flight training syllabus.

The M-346 F Block 20s will replace the Austrian Air Force’s Saab 105 jets, which were retired from service in 2020, and will be used as both advanced jet trainers and fighters for lower-intensity operations.

“Leonardo’s platform simultaneously offers a complete, integrated advanced flight training system – including a GBTS (Ground Based Training System), combined simulated elements and scenarios with real flights according to a live, virtual and constructive (LVC) logic – with additional light combat capabilities for air-to-air and air-to-surface missions enabled by advanced mission systems, equipment and sensors, also including aerial refuelling capability,” the company stated.

“We’re extremely proud of the launch of Austria’s M-346 programme, and we are aware of the value that the synergy between national institutions and industry can generate in response to the emerging requirements of allied countries, as we have already seen in the past,” Stefano Bortoli, managing director of Leonardo’s Aeronautics Division, was quoted as saying in a company press release. “And so we are pleased to continue doing our part, supplying aeronautical solutions enabled by significant technological enhancements. At the same time this programme confirms the international competitiveness of the M-346 system. It responds to the need for operational versatility dictated by today’s scenarios requiring responsiveness and adaptability, growing digitisation, efficient management of new defence assets, complementarity and interoperability, and suitable training for personnel.”

Twenty countries already use or have selected the M-346 as either an advanced jet trainer and/or light multirole fighter. The type has also been chosen by the Italian Air Force as the future aircraft for its Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team.