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After Nigeria, Austria to Acquire 12 Italian-Made M-346 FA Jets to Replace Saab 105

Published by Tope Fakinlede on December 30th, 2024.

After Nigeria, Austria to Acquire 12 Italian-Made M-346 FA Jets to Replace Saab 105

Austria has announced plans to acquire 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets to replace its fleet of Saab 105 aircraft, which were retired at the end of 2020. The Austrian government revealed on Saturday that a letter of intent is set to be signed with Italy’s Ministry of Defence, confirming the deal for the fighter jets manufactured by Leonardo, Italy’s aerospace company.

According to Austrian Defense Ministry sources, the agreement is currently under negotiation with the Italian government. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed his appreciation for the strong bilateral cooperation with Italy, emphasizing the role of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in facilitating the agreement.

While the total cost of the purchase has not been finalized, reports suggest that approximately 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) have been allocated for the acquisition. The M-346 FA jets will serve various roles, including pilot training, ground force support, and air defense.