Leonardo Celebrates 100,000 Flight Hours Milestone for M-346 Advanced Jet Trainer

On November 30th, at the M-346 Joint User Group event hosted by the Polish Air Force in Warsaw, Leonardo marked a significant achievement as the worldwide M-346 advanced jet trainer fleet reached 100,000 flight hours. Leonardo has been awarded contracts to deliver over 100 M-346 aircraft to major international air forces, including Italy, Israel, Poland, Singapore, Qatar, and Greece.

The M-346 serves as a vital asset to the Italian Air Force and Leonardo’s International Flight Training School (IFTS), where pilots from countries such as Japan, Germany, Qatar, and Singapore undergo training. The future looks promising for the M-346, as more air forces opt for it in advanced training and select the multirole fighter attack variant to enhance cost-effective combat operations.

In Warsaw, operators and industry representatives joined in celebrating the achievement of the first 100,000 flight hours milestone for the M-346 during the 8th M-346 Joint User Group.

Dario Marfè, Leonardo’s Director for Aircraft Commercial & Customer Service, expressed pride in this milestone, highlighting the M-346’s service with air forces around the world and its role in the Italy-based International Flight Training School, a collaboration between the Italian Air Force, Leonardo, and CAE.

With 85 aircraft in operation and 100,000 hours logged, the cutting-edge M-346 solidifies its position as the world’s premier advanced jet trainer for current and future fighter pilots. At the forefront of jet training technology, the M-346 will continue to be the optimal choice for developing fighter pilot skills for decades to come.

Emanuele Merlo, Leonardo’s Director for Aircraft Trainers line of business, emphasized the collaborative effort that made this achievement possible, acknowledging the contributions of operators and suppliers alike.

Colonel Vito Conserva, Commander of the 61st Wing, added, “100,000 flight hours represent an extraordinary accomplishment for an equally extraordinary aircraft. The T-346A offers performance and technological capabilities that, combined with its simulation systems, have significantly improved the quality of fighter pilot training since 2015. This platform, along with the dedication of the flight school’s personnel, has established the 61st Wing as a global training center of excellence. Moreover, it has allowed us to create the International Flight Training School in synergy with the national industry, an advanced institution of which we are immensely proud to be a part.”