Canada has entered formal negotiations with Italy to purchase Leonardo's M-346 advanced jet trainer aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force [1, 2, 3].
The procurement is critical for the modernization of Canada's Future Fighter Lead-In Training programme. The new aircraft will replace the aging Aero Vodochody L-39 fleet currently used by the Canadian fighter pilot school [4, 5].
The announcement took place on Tuesday, June 16, during the G7 summit [2, 6]. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni represented their respective governments in the discussions [1, 2, 3].
Currently, the Canadian fighter pilot school utilizes the L-39 for training and collaborates with more than 10 air forces for advanced jet training [7]. The transition to the M-346 is intended to provide a more modern platform for pilots preparing for next-generation fighter aircraft.
Negotiations were launched on the sidelines of the G7 summit to align the needs of the Royal Canadian Air Force with Leonardo's capabilities [2, 3]. The M-346 is designed as a high-performance trainer that bridges the gap between basic flight training and the operation of advanced combat jets.
Officials said the procurement aims to boost allied pilot training and ensure the Royal Canadian Air Force maintains a competitive edge in pilot readiness [2].
“Canada has entered formal negotiations with Italy to purchase Leonardo's M-346 advanced jet trainer aircraft.”
This move signifies a strategic shift in Canada's defense procurement to close the technological gap in pilot training. By replacing the L-39 with the M-346, Canada is aligning its training pipeline with the sophisticated requirements of future fighter jets, while strengthening defense industrial ties with Italy and the broader NATO alliance.
