Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The M-346 aircraft is optimised for advanced military pilot training. (Photo: Leonardo)
Leonardo has signed a contract with Austria to supply 12 M-346 multirole aircraft to the Austrian Air Force to meet the country’s growing need for training aircraft and fill capability gaps in its air force.
The Austrian government announced on 29 November that it had allocated €1.5 billion (US$1.75 billion) for the acquisition of these aircraft, which included training support and simulators and options for 12 additional aircraft.
An undisclosed number of the aircraft ordered by Austria will be supplied in the light fighter configuration under the new M-346 F Block 20, according to Leonardo.
The M-346 F Block 20 will
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
FIA 2026: Honeywell Aerospace targets expansion following June spin-off
Honeywell Aerospace charted its growth strategy as a standalone company, with CEO Jim Currier pointing to record defence budgets and a $19 billion backlog as drivers of expansion.
-
US Marine Corps aims to make drones as commonplace as rifles on the battlefield
The USMC is transforming drones into standard equipment through major funding increases, standardised training, new doctrine and rapid battlefield adaptation, with nearly $820 million requested for UAS programmes in FY2027.
-
FIA 2026: Malloy eyes NATO expansion and Australia for T-150 as it scales up technology
BAE Systems’ Malloy Aeronautics is seeking to expand the international customer base for its T-150 heavy-lift UAV, with NATO users beginning to adopt the platform and Australia identified as a key prospective market.
-
FIA 2026: Tekever targets British Army’s Project Nyx with hydraulic-powered AR6 drone
As Tekever positions its newly revealed UK-sovereign, autonomous heavy-lift drone family for the British Army's Project Nyx, the company is also eyeing an international future for the capability.
-
FIA 2026: Boeing pitches Ghost Bat as mature answer to growing CCA demand
Boeing said demand for collaborative combat aircraft could outstrip what any single supplier can provide, as BAE Systems and Anduril unveiled new platforms at Farnborough International Airshow 2026.