Austria Strengthens Air Power with 12 Advanced Leonardo M-346 Block 20 Light Combat Aircraft

Austria is taking a major step to modernise its air force by ordering 12 state-of-the-art M-346 FA (Block 20) light combat aircraft from Italy’s Leonardo company. The deal was announced on 21 May by the Italian Ministry of Defence as part of an intergovernmental agreement between the two countries. This marks a significant move for Austria as it replaces its ageing fleet of Saab-105OE jet trainers, which were retired in 2020.

The M-346 FA, a light fighter version of the well-known training aircraft, was chosen for its versatility and cost-effectiveness. Austria has long been interested in this jet, and after signing a Letter of Intent in December 2024, the process to acquire them has now officially begun. The contract includes not just the aircraft but also a package of modern equipment and weapons: IRIS-T short-range missiles, 20mm gun pods, rocket launchers, electronic warfare pods, and a full mission simulator to train pilots.

These new jets are not just for training. Austria plans to use them for multiple roles—training future pilots with real weapon systems, conducting close air support missions to help ground forces, carrying out reconnaissance missions using modern sensors, and assisting in forward air control training (especially to reduce training costs at home). They will also act as a support wing to the Austrian Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, particularly for tasks like intercepting slow-flying aircraft, helicopters, or drones—an increasing concern given the rise of drone-related threats.

A key feature of the M-346 FA is its ability to stay in the air longer thanks to in-flight refuelling. Each aircraft will be equipped with a refuelling probe compatible with Austria's recently ordered KC-390 tanker-transport planes, ensuring longer missions without returning to base.

Austria becomes the first customer of the next-generation Block 20 version of the M-346 FA. This new version is still in development and is expected to offer several upgrades. It will include a modern cockpit with large touchscreens, advanced head-up and helmet-mounted displays, and an improved AESA radar with better target tracking capabilities than the older Grifo-346 radar.

The prototype of the Block 20 is expected to be ready by mid-2027, with full production aircraft set to arrive in Austria by late 2028. The agreement also leaves the door open for Austria to purchase up to 12 more jets in the future, possibly in two more batches of six.

In simple terms, this move helps Austria fill a critical gap in its air force, giving it a modern, flexible, and affordable aircraft fleet that can handle both training and combat duties—making the country better prepared for future air defence needs.