Austria has signed a contract with Italian defence company Leonardo for the supply of 12 M-346 F Block20 aircraft for its air force. The agreement marks a significant investment in Austria’s defence and pilot training capabilities.
The aircraft will be delivered from 2028 and are intended to strengthen Austria’s ability to protect its national airspace and territory. The contract covers not only the jets themselves, but also pilot and maintenance training, spare parts, ground equipment and logistical support for six years after the first delivery.
Modern replacement of Saab 105
The M-346 F Block20 is a light multirole aircraft with modern features such as a large area cockpit display, advanced radar, a Link 16 data link, electronic countermeasures and new weapons systems. It will replace the older Saab 105, which was retired from Austrian service in 2020, and serve both as a fighter in lower-intensity missions and as an advanced trainer.
Leonardo: ‘Growing international success’
A complete advanced training system will also be provided, combining real flight time with simulated scenarios to help prepare pilots for flying high-performance aircraft in the future. The M-346 has already been chosen by 20 countries for similar roles, and the type has logged more than 150,000 flight hours worldwide.
Leonardo’s managing director for aeronautics said the contract reflects strong cooperation between public institutions and industry. The company also highlighted the M-346’s growing international success, underlining its versatility and adaptability for a range of defence and training needs
