Leonardo clinches Austria deal with M-346 trainer-fighter jets

ROME — Austria is to purchase 12 Italian Leonardo M-346FA jets to serve in both a training and defense role, Austria’s defense minister has said.

A contract for the buy is currently being negotiated on a government-to-government basis between Vienna and Rome, the Austrian defense ministry said in a statement, which added that funding was already budgeted for.

The two seater M-346FA is a light fighter version of Leonardo’s widely sold M-346 advanced jet trainer. It offers seven external hard points and can integrate air-to-air and air-to-surface munitions and targeting pods linked to helmet-mounted displays.

Last year, Leonardo struck a deal to mount Nexter’s 20mm 20M621 gun pod on the jet.

Austria will use the aircraft as a trainer to replace its Saab 105 training jets that were decommissioned in 2020, but also envisages an air defense role for the Italian-built aircraft.

“By purchasing the jets, we are closing a significant capability gap in our air force,” Austrian defense minister Klaudia Tanner said in a statement.

“This not only brings 100 percent of our pilot training back to Austria, but also significantly strengthens air defense. This increases the protection of Austria, the Austrian population and our neutrality against threats from the air,” she said.

The M-346 pure trainer is now in service with the air forces of Italy, the Republic of Singapore, Israel, Poland, Qatar and Greece, while Turkmenistan and Nigeria have purchased the light fighter version.

The Austrian defense ministry said the contract would involved offset work for Austrian industry.

The jets will be based at Vogler Air Base in Linz-Hörsching in Austria.

“The purchase of new jets to replace the Saab 105 fleet will strengthen the air base’s military relevance,” said local governor Thomas Stelzer.

“This will enhance the site in the long term and secure many high-quality jobs for decades to come,” he added.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said, “This cooperation is further proof of the good cooperation and friendship between Italy and Austria. My special thanks go to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made a significant contribution to the conclusion of this agreement.”