Austria has completed the purchase of twelve Leonardo M-346 FA jets. The new aircraft replace the Saab 105s, which were retired in 2020, filling a gap in air defense. From 2028, they will be stationed in Linz-Hörsching. The unit price is around 80 million euros, the entire package with armaments, simulator, training and maintenance is about 1.5 billion euros.
With this procurement, the Austrian Armed Forces are implementing a goal that has been open for years: the two-fleet strategy can be fully implemented for the first time. It provides Austria with two complementary systems: the Eurofighter for airspace surveillance and a second, lighter system for training, low-intensity operations and high-value fleet detection. Until now, the second fundamental element was missing. The M-346 bridges this gap.
This also means that pilot training is returning to Austria. Since the Saab 105 was phased out, the flying part of the training had to take place abroad – especially in Italy and Germany. With the new jet, training can again take place entirely nationwide. This increases availability, reduces costs in the long run and strengthens operational sovereignty.
For Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner and Economics Minister Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, the purchase represents a security and economic policy measure. The jet trainer improves operational readiness and at the same time creates industrial added value in the state. After years of restraint, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is once again clearly pursuing the path of strengthening security-relevant technologies and research in Austria.
In parallel with the purchase, an industrial agreement was concluded with Italy. It is expected to generate orders in Austria for around 400 million euros. Projects are planned in aerospace technology, supplier industry, digitalization and in research fields such as materials technology, simulation or sensor technology.
The agreement is designed in a way that safeguards Austrian security interests and at the same time remains compliant with European law: companies that offer the best technical solutions will benefit.
The Federal Government pursues the goal of returning as much of the taxes used as possible to domestic value creation. Industrial cooperation is designed to strengthen technological sovereignty, stabilise supply chains and secure jobs. The area is anchored to the government program as strategically important.
Investments in security-relevant technologies have an impact that goes beyond the military. They promote research, development and suppliers and create new economic opportunities.
The structure of the agreement is also based on models of other EU states with similar industrial structures. A clearly defined legal framework is designed to ensure that national companies are involved in the best possible way.
The Minister of Economic Affairs Hattmannsdorfer points out that with the cooperation, an investment volume of around 400 million euros will return to Austria. This strengthens the industry, enables new research projects and secures jobs. Defense Secretary Tanner emphasizes that the M-346 is an asset both as an operational vehicle and as a training aircraft. The government-led approach ensures transparency, and procurement is a central component of the 2032+ recovery plan.
Follow us on our Telegram channel