Austria completes purchase of 12 Leonardo M-346FA jets, restoring full domestic pilot training capability by 2028
Austria finalizes the purchase of 12 Leonardo M-346FA jets, restoring full domestic pilot training by 2028 and strengthening its dual-fleet strategy alongside the Eurofighter.
Austria has finalized a government-to-government agreement to acquire 12 Leonardo M-346FA advanced jet trainers, a move that will fully restore jet pilot training within Austrian borders starting in 2028. The aircraft will replace the Saab J-105OE, which was retired in 2020, and will mark the first time in nearly a decade that Austria can independently train its full pipeline of military aviators.
The acquisition enables Austria to finally operationalize a true dual-fleet strategy: Eurofighters will remain focused on air policing, while the M-346FA will provide training, light strike capability, rapid aerial reconnaissance, and tactical support for ground and special-operations units. The FA variant offers significant modern avionics, simulated combat environments, and real-weapon integration—making it more than a trainer and close to a lightweight fighter.
The package also includes a €400 million industrial component directed toward Austrian companies in aerospace engineering, software, maintenance, and research sectors. This ensures domestic economic impact beyond the procurement itself, anchoring technical jobs and strengthening Austria’s aviation-industry base.
This procurement marks a strategic advancement for Austrian airpower—and a relevant boost to national security and industrial competitiveness.
