The Government-to-Government agreement includes 12 M-346FA for the Austrian Air Force, plus 12 more on option.
Austria and Italy have finalized the Government-to-Government agreement for the sale of the M-346FA (Fighter Attack) to the Austrian Air Force. The development follows the signing of a Letter of Intent in December 2024, as part of the increased military cooperation between the two countries.
The agreement
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 after 50 years of service, leaving a gap in the pilot training capabilities.
With this agreement, Austria will acquire the Leonardo M-346FA, the light fighter variant of the M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT). The choice of the FA variant allows to have a combat-capable aircraft which still retains the full dual role capability of the AJT version.
In fact, the initial reports in September 2024 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 aircraft will reportedly be assigned to Hörsching Air Base, the same base where the Saab 105s were previously assigned and served as elementary jet trainers with the Fliegerregiment 3.
According to the document released by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the package requested by Austria includes:
- 12 M-346FAs, plus 12 more on option in two batches of six aircraft;
- Full Mission Simulator (FMS), Unit Level Training Device (ULTD), Computer Based Training (CBT) and Simulation Based Training (SBT) for pilots;
- Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) capability;
- Eight Role Equipment kits for the FA configuration;
- 12 Helmet Mounted Devices (HMD);
- 12 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Interrogators;
- Link 16 and IRIS-T Integration;
- Eight Nexter NC621 20mm gun pods and 16 LAU-32 7-round rocket launchers;
- Eight Elbit SPEAR AECM pods.
While the intention to integrate the IRIS-T (InfraRed Imaging System Tail-Thrust Vector Controlled) short-range air-to-air missile on the M-346 was already known, the possible integration of an Electronic Counter Measures pod was mentioned in the past without referencing a specific system. Elbit says the SPEAR AECM pod is a modular solution that can provide Self-Protection, Electronic Attack and Reconnaissance capabilities with the use of Digital Radio Frequency Memory (DRFM) and Solid State Phased Array (SSPA) transmitters.
As the contract is still being negotiated, the value of the package has not been disclosed. The document also mentions that the cooperation might expand in future, including further development of the M-346, its weapon systems, support and training, through the use of new technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The M-346FA
The M-346 Master celebrated in 2024 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.
H/T to @ItaMilRadar for the heads-up.
