Austrian M346FA Master contract officially signed

Almost a year after Austria announced its decision to purchase twelve M346 Fighter Attack (M346FA) aircraft from the Italian manufacturer Leonardo, the official contract has now been signed as a government-to-government (G2G) agreement.

The contract, valued at €1,5 billion, includes armament, ammunition, maintenance, and training. Austria and Italy have also agreed on industrial cooperation projects worth €400 million, covering aerospace technology, the supplier industry, digitalisation, and security-related research.

The new aircraft for the Österreichische Luftstreitkräfte (Austrian Air Force) are scheduled for delivery in 2028, eight years after the retirement of the Saab J105Ö fleet. The Masters will be based at Hörsching Air Base near Linz.

Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner described the procurement as a key component of the 2032+ recovery plan. With the purchase of the M346FA, the Austrian Armed Forces remain committed to their two-fleet strategy and will be able to conduct all pilot training within Austria.

“We have implemented what we announced,” Tanner said, emphasising that the Leonardo jets significantly strengthen the air force. The acquisition not only supports national neutrality and public protection, but the two-seater jets also serve as training aircraft—an important criterion in the procurement. They represent an essential part of the 2032+ development plan, which will continue to be implemented “step by step with the necessary consistency,” Tanner stated.

Credit photo: Massimo Filippini (Scramble Archive)