Now it’s final: as the result of a year-long type-finding process, VeDefense Minister Klaudia Tanner has decided on the successor to the Saab 105OE training jets that will be retired in 2020. The Austrian Armed Forces is planning to purchase twelve M-346FA jets from the Italian manufacturer Leonardo as part of a government-to-government deal with Italy. Italian manufacturer Leonardo together with Italy.
The M-346 has been a favorite for the Saab successor for years and was already being discussed as the successor to the Saab 105OE while it was still flying. The model was the focus of the temporary “JET Trainer neu” working group for the first time back in 2008. In addition to the M-346, the L-39NG from the Czech manufacturer Aero Vodochody and the T-7 from Saab/Boeing to choose from.
With this decision, Defense Minister Tanner is following the recommendation of the General Staff. to examine an offer for the M-346. The budget funds required for the purchase were already planned and approved in 2022 in the multi-year financial framework and the “Bundesheer 2032+” development plan. According to information from Militär Aktuell, a more favorable price excluding inflation adjustments of five to ten percent could be secured this year as a result of the purchase decision. The next step will be to negotiate the specific contract with the Italian government. Based on the joint experience already gained with the AW169 (-> Two more AW169s approaching Austria), a contract is expected to be concluded within six months.
“An important part of the negotiations is also the involvement of the Austrian economy through necessary industrial cooperation in order to bring added value to Austria and strengthen the domestic industry,” according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defense. “This cooperation is further proof of the good cooperation and friendship between Italy and Austria. My special thanks go to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made a significant contribution to the conclusion of this agreement,” said Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer.
Austria buys 12 Leonardo M-346FA jets together with Italy as part of a “government-to-government” deal. #Bundesheer
– Michael Bauer (@Bundesheerbauer) December 28, 2024
Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner: “With the purchase of the jets, we are closing a significant capability gap in our air force. Not only are we bringing 100% of the training for our pilots back to Austria, but we are also significantly strengthening our airspace defense. This increases the protection of Austria, the Austrian population and our neutrality against threats from the air.”
Revolution for jet pilot training in the Austrian Armed Forces
Since the end of subsonic jet flying in the Austrian Armed Forces without replacement (-> 50 years of Saab 105OE: “Time to say Goodbye”), junior air force jet pilots have had to complete significant parts of their training abroad. A syllabus has become well-established that takes young jet pilots to Lecce-Galatina in the boot heel of Italy after phase 1 (selection, aptitude test on DA40) and phase 2 (primary pilot training on Pilatus PC-7) in Zeltweg/Austria.
There, at the 212º Gruppo Volo (212th Squadron) of the 61º Stormo (61st Squadron) of the Aeronautica Militare (Italian Air Force), the student pilots receive specialized jet pilot training in phase 3 and “Lead In to Fighter Training” (L.I.F.T.) on the M-346AJT in phase 4. This is followed in phase 5 by familiarization with the Eurofighter Typhoon two-seater, which takes place in Laage on the German Baltic coast.
The M-346FA is more than “just” a trainer
The Leonardo M-346FA is a two-seater, weapons-capable subsonic jet. In addition to training pilots, it will also be used in the Austrian Armed Forces to support the ground forces and for air defense.
In addition to the aforementioned Phase 3 and Phase 4, the M-346FA is intended for airspace security and identification/defense/interception of air contacts up to the high subsonic range and medium altitudes. Internationally, there is a more than significant increase in the military use of this airspace segment, and the only 15 Eurofighters of the Austrian Armed Forces therefore require support in this area.
With the procurement of the M-346FA (ideally in the new Block 20 variant, -> Leonardo gives the M-346 an update), the Austrian Armed Forces are also resurrecting the air-to-ground role in a modern way, i.e. with the inclusion of precision and stand-off weapons, several sensor systems, modern self-protection capabilities and, of course, a data link. A key aspect of this is the qualitative upgrade from “airspace surveillance and security” to “airspace defense” capability with a view to a Eurofighter successor (end of service by 2037 at the latest), which will then definitely not be an “airspace surveillance aircraft” but a multi-role combat aircraft capable of national defense. The M-346FA will therefore be the key element in gaining the experience and personnel required to transition to the next supersonic jet generation for the Austrian Armed Forces. A very important intermediate step towards this is the achievement of 24/7 active airspace surveillance. This will require considerably more Eurofighter pilots and the flight hours required for this will be partly completed by “download” on the M-346FA.
Another important aspect is practising with and against the new air defense systems that the armed forces are aiming for. Much, but by no means everything, can be learned through simulation.
Not only are at least twelve aircraft (plus possible options) as well as mission equipment packages and armaments planned for all this, but also several simulators of varying quality and up to 3,600 fleet flight hours/year (that would correspond to up to 20 person hours in the cockpit per day!!!) for a service life of at least 30 years. Measured against the current flight hours of the Eurofighter, this corresponds to more than a quadrupling of jet flight hours in the Austrian Armed Forces.
Here for more army news and here to further news about Leonardo.
