The Austrian MoD is currently negotiating the procurement contract with the Italian government, with the 12 aircraft being eyed for both training and air defense roles.
Austria has decided to acquire the Leonardo M-346FA, the light fighter variant of the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT). Citing military sources, the Austrian newspaper Krone said a letter of intent with the Italian Ministry of Defense is about to be signed, and the subsequent contract could be worth about €1 billion ($1.04 billion).
According to Reuters, the Austrian Ministry of Defense confirmed the planned purchase and mentioned that the contract is currently being negotiated with the Italian government. In a statement, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said the deal showed the strength of cooperation between Italy and Austria, thanking the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for her contribution to the agreement.
The selection
In Sept. 2024, Austrian Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner mentioned that Austria was considering a joint purchase of M-346 jet trainers with Italy. The Italian-made aircraft are meant to replace the Saab 105 fleet that Austria retired in 2020.
The Saab 105s were retired after 50 years of service, leaving a gap in the pilot training capabilities. To address the problem, Austria joined the International Flight Training School, which also employs the M-346.
“By purchasing these jets, we are addressing a significant capability gap in our air force,” said Tanner. “This enables us to bring 100 percent of pilot training back to Austria while significantly enhancing air defence. It strengthens the protection of Austria, its population, and our neutrality against aerial threats.”
Initial reports in September also mentioned that Austria was looking to an aircraft which could be employed not only for training, but also for air surveillance and defense, complementing the Eurofighters. The latest reports now confirmed that Austria is indeed working to procure the M-346FA variant, the armed variant which is also equipped with a radar.
The Austrian Air Force will get a total of 12 M-346FAs, which will reportedly be assigned to Hörsching Air Base. The base is the same where the Saab 105s were previously assigned and served as elementary jet trainers with the Fliegerregiment 3.
The M-346FA
The M-346 Master celebrated this year the 20th anniversary since its first flight. The aircraft, considered by many as the most advanced jet trainer currently available, brought many new technologies to improve the training of future 4th and 5th gen fighter pilots, including the state-of-the-art Ground-Based Training System and the Live Virtual and Constructive (LVC) technologies.
In addition to its training variant, Leonardo has developed a combat-capable version of the aircraft called the M-346 FA (Fighter Attack), also known as Light Fighter Family of Aircraft (LFFA). The most visible differences from the standard AJT configuration are the two wingtip missile rails, that bring the total hardpoints to seven, new antennas and the Defensive Aid Sub System (DASS).
The M-346FA variant is designed to retain the full dual role capability of the AJT version, already in service with the Italian, Israeli, Polish and Singapore Air Forces, while incorporating also some new features like a tactical data link, Grifo-346 mechanical scan, multi-mode radar, new secure radios and IFF system (Identification Friend or Foe), and a stronger airframe.
The aircraft, which is being proposed for Homeland Defence/Air Policing, Slow Mover Intercept, Close Air Support (CAS), Counter INsurgency (COIN), Forward Air Controller – Airborne (FAC-A), Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR), Interdiction, Battlefield Air Interdiction (BAI), Tactical Air Support for Maritime Operations (TASMO) and Tactical Reconnaissance roles, can carry more than 2,000 kg of weapons.
Leonardo also announced at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show the launch of a comprehensive capability enhancement package for the M-346. This major upgrade comes as the M-346 fleet surpassed 100,000 flight hours as well as ten years of service.
Both M-346 AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) training and M-346 LFFA (Light Fighter Family of Aircraft) fighter variants will benefit from these enhancements for a wide spectrum of applications, while implying significant margin for further developments in the future. Leonardo said that ‘M-346 T Block 20’ and ‘M-346 F Block 20’ are the designations for the new standard of both aircraft.
The Block 20 standard cockpit will be completely renewed, featuring two Large Area Displays (LAD), one per each seat, replacing the existing six Multi-Functional Displays (MFD), plus a low-profile Head-Up Display (HUD). These will be combined with a new digital video and data recorder and a new augmented reality Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).
The M-346 Block 20 will also benefit from new navigation, weapon management, flight management system, IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) transponder. Specifically for the M-346 F variant, further critical capability enhancements include an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar featuring fire control radar capability, integration of new weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles in addition to a built-in missile datalink.
What future for the Eurofighters?
The acquisition of the M-346FA opens up to new questions regarding the controversial presence of the Eurofighter Typhoon in the Austrian Air Force. Austria selected the Typhoon over the Saab Gripen in 2022 to replace the Saab Draken which has been in service from 1988 to 2005.
The country initially decided to procure 18 Typhoons, but later reduced the order to 15 aircraft. The aircraft, however, are very basic, as during the renegotiation of the contract the country decided to acquire Tranche 1 jets (six of which were second-hand from the German Air Force) instead of the then more advanced Tranche 2 ones.
Among the reasons was the argument that the Typhoons would only be needed for peacetime air policing over neutral airspace. The aircraft have no air-to-ground capabilities and their only air-to-air weapons are the Mauser BK27 cannon and the IRIS-T infrared air-to-air missile, without beyond visual range weapons such as the AIM-120 AMRAAM.
Austria later evaluated to get rid of the European fighter and replace it with a cheaper aircraft, even an armed trainer. For an instance, in 2020 reports mentioned negotiation to transfer the entire Austrian Typhoon fleet to Indonesia, although they never became reality.
While the Typhoon has been considered cheaper to acquire, with a total cost of about €2 billion, the MoD has argued that the high operating costs and lack of advanced capabilities, which were later introduced by other Typhoon operators, represent a critical problem.
Disposing of the aircraft was considered the most convenient option, and in 2017 the MoD even said it would have been €2 billion cheaper than upgrading the jet. Austria, however, still needs an aircraft for the air defense, as not being part of NATO preludes the country from requesting air policing support.
