Austria has finalised a €1.5 billion contract with Leonardo to buy 12 M-346FA advanced trainer/light-attack jets, replacing the Saab 105 fleet retired five years ago. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028, restoring domestic jet-training capacity and adding a light-attack capability for the Austrian armed forces.
Discovered |
Briefing
Austria's €1.5bn, 12-aircraft purchase with deliveries from 2028 replaces legacy Saab 105s retired five years ago and re-establishes jet-training and light-attack capability with a defined procurement timeline.
The contract commits production slots and budget to Leonardo and sits alongside recent OEM-led training and platform deals — see Leonardo's simulator co-development with Reiser (AW139) and its recent AW139 purchase-and-leaseback activity — and mirrors regional light-attack trainer procurements such as Panama's A-29 contract.
The order has implications for regional training infrastructure and sustainment: new jet types will drive simulator, maintenance and crew-training demand, connecting to developments like CAE's Vienna training centre.
Reported By
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Austria Finalizes Procurement of $1.7B M-346FA Fighter Jets With Italy • defence.m5dergi.com
Austria Agrees €1.5bn Deal to Buy 12 Leonardo M-346FA Combat Aircraft • news.ssbcrack.com
Aviation Week
• Tony Osborne
(FR) Austria finalises purchase of 12 Leonardo M-346FA trainer and light combat aircraft • Le Journal de l’Aviation