Austria plans to buy 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets to replace Saab 105 aircraft that will be decommissioned at the end of 2020, the Krone newspaper reported on Saturday.
Citing military sources, the newspaper said a letter of intent with Italy’s defense ministry for planes made by Italy’s Leonardo is expected to be signed on Saturday.
The Austrian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the news. Austrian news agency APA said the ministry had confirmed the planned purchase.
The total cost of the purchase has yet to be determined, but about 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) has been budgeted, the newspaper said. This summer, Austrian media reported that the neutral country was preparing to buy M-346 FA jets. The jets will be used for pilot training, ground force support and air defense, the newspaper said.
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