According to documents published by the Italian Ministry of Defense, on May 5, 2025, it approved an intergovernmental agreement (contract) concluded on February 21 with the Austrian Ministry of Defense on the acquisition by Austria of 12 M-346FA combat training aircraft manufactured by the Italian company Leonardo, with an option for another 12 aircraft. The parties have not officially announced the conclusion of an intergovernmental contract. Deliveries of M-346FA aircraft to the Austrian Air Force are scheduled to begin in 2027.
Leonardo M-346FA (Fighter Attack) combat training aircraft demonstrator (registration number CPX625) (c) Alessandro Maggia / Leonardo
The cost parameters of the contract were not disclosed, but previously, a number of sources had previously estimated it at about 1 billion euros. The contract was concluded as a follow-up to the Agreement of intent (LOI) signed by the parties in Vienna on December 30, 2024 and in Rome on December 31, 2024, in which Astria expressed its intention to purchase M-346FA aircraft on an intergovernmental basis in cooperation with the Italian military authorities. The Austrian Ministry of Defense officially announced the decision to purchase 12 M-346FA aircraft on December 28, 2024.
In the Austrian Air Force, the M-346FA aircraft are to replace the Saab 105OE combat training aircraft, which were finally decommissioned in 2020 and have served for about 50 years. Along with being used as advanced training and transitional training aircraft, the Austrian M-346FA should also be used to solve air defense tasks, eight of the 12 aircraft purchased by Austria should receive sets of appropriate equipment and weapons. The possibility of purchasing M-346 aircraft to replace the Saab 105OE has been discussed by the Austrian Ministry of Defense since 2008.
The M-346FA (Fighter Attack) aircraft is a combat training (combat) version of the M-346 Master aircraft produced by Leonardo (Aermacchi). The main difference between the M-346FA is the installation of the Leonardo Grifo-346 airborne radar. The M-346FA aircraft is also equipped with an on-board defense system, data transmission equipment and has seven external suspension units for various weapons, while integrating a wide range of guided weapons. The M-346FA cabin equipment complies with the M-346 Block 20 standard and includes large-format indicators, a low-profile indicator against the windshield, a weapon control system, a new navigation system, new radios and a helmet-mounted aiming system.
According to data published by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the contract includes the supply of 12 M-346FA aircraft to Austria with two options for six additional aircraft (that is, a total of 24 vehicles is possible). One fully functional ground simulator, one squadron simulator, one computer training class for four cadets and one instructor, seven mission planning and analysis systems (MPDS), one simulation-based training kit with four pilot workstations and one instructor station, and one Live Virtual Constructive capability package are included in the package for the purchased 12 aircraft. (LVC) with a real-time monitoring station (RTMS), one virtual maintenance simulator, eight sets of weapons for air defense tasks, twelve helmet-mounted sights and twelve sets of "friend-foe" (IFF) equipment. The weapons package consists of eight Nexter NC621 20mm outboard cannon containers, sixteen LAU-32 seven-shot outboard launchers for 70mm unguided or guided missiles, and eight Israeli Elbit Systems SPEAR AECM electronic warfare outboard containers. The equipment of the Austrian aircraft includes the integration of Link 16 equipment and IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles. The contract also includes flight and technical personnel training and service support.
Austria has become the third known customer of the M-346FA aircraft after Turkmenistan, which received four aircraft in 2021, and Nigeria, which ordered 24 aircraft (deliveries are expected to begin in 2025). Austria has also become the tenth customer of the M-346 family of aircraft in general.
