The ITPS Canada has ordered six M-346T Block 20, with choices for six extra, to help the growth of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot coaching.
Leonard has introduced that the Worldwide Take a look at Pilots College Canada (ITPS Canada) has ordered the M-346T Block 20 as its new jet coach. ITPS Canada offers each flight take a look at coaching (with the Worldwide Take a look at Pilots College) and superior army tactical coaching, with the M-346 deliberate to help the latter.
The acquisition
The corporate mentioned the brand new coach will help the growth of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot coaching at its Worldwide Tactical Coaching Centre (ITTC) in North Bay, Ontario. A complete of six M-346s have been ordered, with choices to accumulate six extra and anticipated to enter service in 2029.
The worth of the contract has not been disclosed. Though not talked about within the press launch, the contract is probably going together with additionally the Floor-Primarily based Coaching System (GBTS) as a part of the bigger M-346 Built-in Coaching System.
ITPS Govt Chairman Giorgio Clementi signed the contract throughout a ceremony at Leonardo’s Venegono plant in Italy. The ceremony additionally included a closing analysis flight of the plane, mentioned the press launch.
“The M346 continues Italy’s illustrious monitor report of manufacturing world main jet coach plane,” mentioned Clementi. The plane are anticipated to supply a significant contribution to the primary functionality enhancement venture of the ITTC fleet, assembly the wants of greater than ten buyer air forces.
Beforehand, in October 2025, ITPS CEO Dave Lohse performed an airborne analysis of the Leonardo M-346 superior jet coach within the airspace north of Ottawa Worldwide Airport. This coincided with the interval throughout which the M-346 was in North America to be a part of a showcase tour for the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Coaching System (UJTS) program.
“The M-346 is an exceptionally succesful superior jet coach that aligns carefully with the operational necessities of recent fighter pilot coaching,” Lohse mentioned following the analysis flight. “The plane’s efficiency, digital flight management system, and superior coaching structure make it a perfect platform to help the following part of progress for the Worldwide Tactical Coaching Centre.”
The contract was nicely welcomed by Leonardo, with Stefano Bortoli, Leonardo Aeronautics Division’s Managing Director, noting the M-346’s exceptional evolution and market success. The plane is already in service in seven nations, with two extra ready for the supply of their plane.
Leonardo additional mentioned that the worldwide fleet has surpassed 160,000 flight hours, with greater than 160 plane offered thus far. The plane has additionally been assessed as a perfect platform for the coaching of pilots destined to each fifth era jets, such because the F-35 Lightning II, and the upcoming sixth era, such because the World Fight Air Programme’s (GCAP) manned fighter.
“The choice of ITPS to pick and procure the M-346 to ship world class lead-in fighter coaching for the following era of pilots and permit them to face quickly altering and more and more difficult operational eventualities, offers additional proof of the undisputable excessive efficiency of the system,” mentioned Bortoli. “We’re dedicated to working with ITPS to ensure they will maximize the advantages of this newest know-how and functionality with a view to keep and even broaden the standard stage of the service their prospects deserve.”
It’s unclear if the M-346 is supposed to exchange the L-39 fleet Albatross at present in service with the ITPS. Beforehand, ITPS Canada additionally evaluated the KAI FA-50 Preventing Eagle, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the producer in 2020.
On the time, the corporate deliberate to purchase between eight and twelve plane to exchange the eight L-39s in service. It now seems nevertheless that the plan was deserted and the FA-50 procurement has been changed with the M-346.
M-346 Block 20
Leonardo introduced on the 2024 Farnborough Worldwide Air Present the launch of a complete functionality enhancement bundle for the M-346. This main improve comes because the M-346 fleet surpassed 100,000 flight hours in addition to ten years of service.
Each M-346 AJT (Superior Jet Coach) coaching and M-346 LFFA (Mild Fighter Household of Plane) fighter variants will profit from these enhancements for a large spectrum of functions, whereas implying important margin for additional developments sooner or later. Leonardo mentioned that ‘M-346 T Block 20’ and ‘M-346 F Block 20’ are the designations for the brand new commonplace of each plane.
The Block 20 commonplace cockpit shall be fully renewed, that includes two Giant Space Shows (LAD), one per every seat, changing the present six Multi-Purposeful Shows (MFD), plus a low-profile Head-Up Show (HUD). These shall be mixed with a brand new digital video and knowledge recorder and a brand new augmented actuality Helmet Mounted Show (HMD).
The M-346 Block 20 will even profit from new navigation, weapon administration, flight administration system, IFF (Identification of Buddy or Foe) transponder. Particularly for the M-346 F variant, additional essential functionality enhancements embody an AESA (Lively Electronically Scanned Array) radar that includes fireplace management radar functionality, integration of latest weapons for each air-to-air and air-to-ground roles along with a built-in missile datalink.
