Austria has finalized a significant defense acquisition, agreeing to a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.7 billion) deal for 12 advanced Leonardo M-346FA combat aircraft from Italy. This procurement is part of Austria’s strategy to bolster its national defense capabilities, enhancing both operational readiness and pilot training.
The M-346FA aircraft are expected to be delivered to Linz-Hörsching Air Base, with the first units arriving in 2028. The contract price for each aircraft is approximately 80 million euros ($92.8 million). This comprehensive package not only includes the aircraft themselves but also encompasses armament, training simulators, and ongoing sustainment services, thereby ensuring extensive support for the Austrian Air Force’s operational and educational needs.
Austrian defense officials have emphasized that the M-346FA aircraft will support the nation’s “two-fleet strategy.” This initiative aims to pair the more advanced Eurofighter jets, primarily used for airspace surveillance, with the M-346FA, which is tailored for pilot competency programs and lower-intensity missions. This strategic pairing allows for a more versatile and adaptive military capability while also facilitating domestic pilot training, reducing dependence on foreign training programs, especially those from Italy and Germany.
Additionally, the Austrian government has noted the economic implications of this deal. Alongside the aircraft purchase, parallel agreements with Italian manufacturers are anticipated to generate approximately 400 million euros ($464.5 million) in orders for Austrian companies. The economic benefits are expected to span various sectors, including aerospace, supplier industries, digitalization, and innovations in materials, simulation, and sensor technology. Austria stated that the agreements are structured to protect national security interests while adhering to European regulations. The approach ensures that companies providing the most effective technological solutions stand to gain from these contracts, which will not only boost Austria’s industrial base but also promote new research initiatives and keep jobs secure.
The M-346FA itself is a modernized variant of Leonardo’s M-346 airframe, equipped with advanced systems that enhance its combat capabilities. It measures 11 meters in length (approximately 36 feet) and boasts a wingspan of 10 meters (around 33 feet). The aircraft can be armed with a variety of weaponry, including machine guns, automatic cannons, unguided bombs, and attack missiles. Powering the M-346FA are two Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofan engines, allowing it to reach speeds up to 575 knots (1,066 kilometers per hour) and cover a range of 1,200 nautical miles (2,222 kilometers). The aircraft can operate at a service ceiling of 13,716 meters (45,000 feet), making it a formidable addition to Austria’s defense arsenal.
As Austria moves forward with this acquisition, the combined goals of enhancing defense capabilities and fostering domestic industrial growth signal a strategic shift in the nation’s approach to security and military preparedness.
