adminAustria to Acquire Italian-Made Fighter Jets in €1 Billion Deal
Austria is set to modernize its air fleet with the purchase of 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets, replacing the decommissioned Saab 105 planes retired in 2020. The deal, reported by *Krone* newspaper on Saturday, marks a significant investment in the country’s military capabilities.
A letter of intent for the acquisition was expected to be signed with the Italian Defence Ministry on Saturday. The jets, produced by Leonardo, are designed for pilot training, ground force support, and air defense operations.
While the Austrian Defence Ministry has yet to release an official statement, news agency APA confirmed the planned purchase. Although the total cost of the deal is still being finalized, approximately €1 billion ($1.04 billion) has been allocated for the project.
This move reflects Austria’s commitment to upgrading its defense infrastructure, as earlier reports suggested the neutral nation was preparing to invest in the M-346 FA jets this summer.
