Canadian Fighter Pilot School to Get M-346 Trainer Jets From Leonardo
The deal gives ITPS six firm jets and options for six more as it expands training for Canadian and allied pilots.
- On Tuesday, Leonardo SpA sold up to 12 M-346 trainer jets to ITPS Canada, marking the aircraft's first entry into the Canadian market with deliveries beginning in 2029.
- NATO countries face surging demand for pilot training as defence budgets climb, while the Royal Canadian Air Force currently conducts all advanced training outside Canada and seeks modern trainers for 5th-generation fighters.
- The M-346 typically sells for US$20-million to US$40-million per aircraft; assuming US$30-million per jet, the full 12-aircraft purchase could exceed US$350-million in value, with ITPS selecting the Block 20 variant featuring a Large Area Display cockpit.
- Pilots from NATO countries and partner nations will train together at ITPS's International Tactical Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario, as the company plans to expand the model to other countries where approximately 20 nations already operate M-346s.
- Leonardo simultaneously pursues larger contracts with the Royal Canadian Air Force against the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk and targets the U.S. Navy market through a Textron partnership to replace aging Boeing T-45 Goshawks.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Six new Leonardo M-346 jets set for North Bay training centre in 2029
Six new advanced jet trainers are slated to arrive in North Bay starting in 2029 as the International Tactical Training Centre ramps up capacity for NATO and allied fighter pilot instruction. ITTC Canada says the local expansion is already underway at Jack Garland Airport
Half a dozen Italian-made jet training aircraft coming to North Bay
By Richard CoffinA new chapter is being written in North Bay’s history of training military pilots.The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) has signed a contract with Leonardo Aeronautics for six M-346 T Block 20 aircraft, with options for an additional six units.They’re expected to enter service starting in 2029 in North Bay, with officials saying they will support the expansion of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot training locally.Port…
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