Italy Air Force Inducts Leonardo’s M-345 Trainer Aircraft: GALATINA, ITALY – June 12, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for both the Italian Air Force and Leonardo as the advanced M-345 trainer aircraft officially joins the nation’s fleet, designated as the T-345A by the Italian Air Force. This strategic introduction, replacing the venerable MB-339, is set to significantly bolster Italy’s long-standing leadership in military pilot training on a global scale.
Now operational with the esteemed 61st Wing at Galatina (LE), the M-345 system, alongside its more advanced counterpart, the M-346 – both meticulously designed, developed, and manufactured by Leonardo at its Venegono Superiore facility in Varese – forms a comprehensive, integrated training ecosystem.
This powerful combination allows the Italian Air Force to meticulously cover the entire spectrum of military pilot training, from fundamental initial phases to the most complex and advanced stages, ensuring a seamless progression for future aviators.
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Italy Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Antonio Conserva (2nd from Left) at the ceremony.
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Leonardo’s M-345 Trainer Aircraft
The M-345 is a testament to Leonardo’s profound and extensive experience in the field of military trainers, building upon a rich legacy of success that includes iconic aircraft such as the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260, the Aermacchi MB-326, and the highly successful Aermacchi MB-339.
The MB-339, in particular, served with distinction for over four decades, instrumental in shaping generations of Italian and international military pilots and captivating audiences worldwide as the aircraft of choice for the National Aerobatic Team. The Frecce Tricolori themselves are soon to transition to Leonardo’s M-346, further underscoring the company’s dominance in high-performance training platforms.
With the M-345 seamlessly integrated into its training syllabus, the Italian Air Force now boasts arguably the most modern and sophisticated fixed-wing military training system in Europe. This new jet aircraft is engineered to deliver superior performance akin to that of a high-end turboprop, yet remarkably, it achieves this with comparable operating costs, presenting a truly “simple, smart, and efficient” solution.
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Italian Air Force’s Trainer Aircrafts.
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Italian Air Force’s T345A Trainer Aircraft
The M-345 stands as a state-of-the-art integrated training system, adept at handling both basic and advanced stages (Phases II and III) of pilot instruction. Its full-digital avionics and an innovative human-machine interface are designed to perfectly align with contemporary training demands, expertly assisting pilots in their crucial transition to next-generation fighter jets.
Under the hood, the M-345 is powered by a Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine, which has been optimized for military applications, offering both high performance and significantly reduced fuel consumption. The aircraft itself is built for an extended operational life, featuring an integrated monitoring system that not only cuts down on maintenance times and costs but also dramatically boosts fleet readiness and overall efficiency.
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The digital cockpit avionics are a marvel of modern design, mirroring the standards of new-generation military jets. It incorporates a highly advanced human-machine interface, complete with three vibrant color touch-screen Multi-Function Displays (MFDs) and a Head-Up Display (HUD), providing an immersive and intuitive flying experience. The cockpit’s excellent external visibility and stepped tandem seating arrangement, coupled with HOTAS (Hands On Throttle-And-Stick) controls, ensure pilots maintain full command without diverting their attention from critical controls.
The M-345 Integrated Training System’s capability extends beyond the aircraft itself, encompassing a comprehensive suite of innovative Ground Based Training Systems. These systems offer unparalleled capabilities in terms of training performance, cost-efficiency, and long-term sustainability. Together, the Leonardo M-345 and M-346 integrated systems provide a truly seamless training pathway, guaranteeing a smooth and effective transition through different training phases, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the entire military pilot training program.
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