- Side
- Unconfirmed conflict context
The M-346 has sourced operator, procurement, and light-combat configuration context, but no direct source found in this pass ties the aircraft to a named armed-conflict deployment.
Aircraft & UAVs
M-346
Also known as
- Leonardo M-346FA
- M-346 Fighter Attack
- Aermacchi M-346
- M-346 AJT
- M-346FT
- M-346 Fighter Trainer
- M-346 F Block 20
- M-346 Block 20
- T-346A
- M-346 Bielik
- M-346 Lavi
The Leonardo M-346 is an Italian twin-engine advanced jet trainer and lead-in fighter trainer already in service with several air forces. Its M-346FA derivative adds radar, seven external hardpoints, and a light-combat mission set for air policing, close air support, air interdiction, and tactical reconnaissance.
Role in Conflicts
Mission Set
Leonardo positions the M-346FA as a radar-equipped light fighter while keeping the AJT training core intact. The brochure breaks the mission set into air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance roles.
| Mission area | Documented roles | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air-to-air | Air policing, homeland defense, slow-mover intercept, BVR intercept support | The brochure says medium-range air-to-air missiles can also be integrated. |
| Air-to-ground | Close air support, counter-insurgency, FAC-A, CSAR, interdiction, BAI, TASMO | Leonardo presents the FA as a low-medium-threat multirole aircraft with a radar and external stores mix for these tasks. |
| Reconnaissance | RECCE | The brochure lists reconnaissance as a documented operational capability. |
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Italy
- Built by
- Leonardo
- Type
- Advanced jet trainer / lead-in fighter trainer
- Service note
- 2010s-present
- Designed
- 1990s-2000s
- Unit cost
- About €40 million per aircraft, derived from a €120 million Italian contract for three additional M-346 trainers plus ground-based training system and logistical support.
- Produced
- 2010-present
Specifications
- Crew
- 2
- Powerplant
- 2 Honeywell F124-GA-200 turbofans
- Maximum level speed
- 1,090 km/h (590 KTAS) for M-346 AJT; 1,065 km/h (575 KTAS) low-altitude for M-346FA
- Service ceiling
- 13,715 m (45,000 ft)
- Hardpoints
- Five hardpoints on the M-346 AJT; seven external hardpoints on the M-346FA for air-to-air and air-to-surface stores
- Thrust
- 2 x 2,850 kg (6,280 lb)
Variants
Leonardo uses M-346 for the advanced jet trainer family, with national service designations and light-combat derivatives extending the baseline trainer.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| M-346 AJT | Advanced jet trainer | Baseline advanced military pilot trainer with integrated tactical training features and five hardpoints for external training loads. Sources: Leonardo M-346 |
| T-346A | Italian Air Force designation | Italian Air Force designation for the Aermacchi M-346, used for Phase IV lead-in fighter training. Sources: Italian Air Force T-346A |
| M-346 Bielik | Polish service name | Polish Armed Forces service name for the M-346 Master advanced training aircraft. Sources: Polish Armed Forces M-346 Bielik |
| M-346 Lavi | Israeli service name | Israeli Air Force training-aircraft name used when the first three aircraft were received in 2014. Sources: IDF Lavi trainer arrival |
| M-346FT | Fighter Trainer | Leonardo-Finmeccanica presented the FT as a multi-role version able to shift from trainer configuration to operational missions. |
| M-346FA | Fighter Attack / light combat | Light-combat derivative of the advanced trainer with Grifo-M-346 radar, defensive aids, tactical datalink, and seven external hardpoints. Sources: Leonardo M-346FA, The Aermacchi M-346FA: multirole master |
| M-346 F Block 20 | Block 20 light-fighter configuration | Contracted Austrian configuration with large-area displays, AESA radar, Link 16, electronic countermeasures, and new weapons systems. Sources: Leonardo signs contract for 12 M-346 F Block 20 aircraft for Austria |
Carried Stores
Leonardo's M-346FA brochure names these air-to-air and air-to-surface stores among the aircraft's external-weapons options.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | The brochure lists AIM-9L/ATM-9L short-range air-to-air missiles among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | 1,000-pound laser-guided bomb | The brochure lists the GBU-16 (1,000 lb) Paveway II laser-guided bomb among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | 500-pound GPS-guided bomb | The brochure lists the GBU-38 (500 lb) JDAM among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | 1,000-pound GPS-guided bomb | The brochure lists the GBU-32 (1,000 lb) JDAM among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | 500-pound dual-mode guided bomb | The brochure lists the GBU-49 (500 lb) Enhanced Paveway II GPS/LGB among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | 500-pound general-purpose bomb | The brochure lists Mk 82 family 500-pound general-purpose bombs, including Mk 82FF and Mk 82HD Snakeye, among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | Air-to-surface missile | The brochure lists Brimstone air-to-surface missiles among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | Short-range air-to-air missile | The brochure lists IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missiles among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | Small Diameter Bomb | The brochure lists Small Diameter Bomb among the M-346FA's external store options. Sources: Aermacchi M-346FA brochure |
 | Targeting pod | Rafael says it signed an agreement with Leonardo to supply Litening 5 systems for M-346FA aircraft. |
Timeline
M-346 Key Events
Singapore inaugurates M-346 service with 150 Squadron
Singapore's Ministry of Defence said the RSAF inaugurated the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 into 150 Squadron at Cazaux Air Base, with the full fleet of 12 aircraft received.
Sources: RSAF inaugurates the M-346 into 150 Squadron
Israel receives first Lavi trainers
An IDF page said the Israeli Air Force had received its first three Lavi training aircraft for pilot conversion toward F-16I and F-15 fighters.
Sources: IDF Lavi trainer arrival
Italy orders three more trainers
Leonardo said the Italian Air Force signed a €120 million contract for three additional M-346 aircraft with ground-based training system and logistical support.
Sources: 120 million Euros for three M-346 aircraft
Global fleet reaches 100,000 flight hours
Leonardo said the worldwide M-346 advanced jet trainer fleet had reached 100,000 flight hours at the M-346 Joint User Group in Warsaw.
Sources: M-346: 100,000 flight hours proven
Poland receives its final M-346 batch
Leonardo delivered the final batch of four aircraft to the Polish Air Force, bringing Poland's M-346 fleet to 16 aircraft; the Polish Armed Forces also described the delivery as completing the ordered fleet.
Sources: Leonardo delivered the final batch of four M-346 aircraft to Polish Air Force, Polish Armed Forces M-346 delivery completed
Greece receives first M-346 trainers
Greece's Ministry of National Defence said the first two of ten M-346 aircraft were delivered at the International Flight Training Centre in Kalamata.
Sources: Greek MOD M-346 arrival at Kalamata
Nigeria announces a 24-aircraft purchase
The Nigerian Air Force said the federal government was acquiring 24 M-346 fighter aircraft from Leonardo in four tranches of six.
Sources: NAF M-346 procurement in Italy
Austria contracts for M-346 F Block 20
Leonardo signed a contract to supply Austria with 12 M-346 F Block 20 aircraft in a light-fighter configuration, plus simulation, spares, ground equipment, and support.
Sources: Leonardo signs contract for 12 M-346 F Block 20 aircraft for Austria
Indonesia selects the M-346 F Block 20
Leonardo announced a letter of intent with PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia and Indonesia's Ministry of Defence for M-346 F Block 20 aircraft to meet Indonesian Air Force training and combat requirements.
Sources: Leonardo Indonesia M-346 F Block 20 letter of intent
Related Weapon Systems
Related News
Sources
Leonardo M-346Publisher: Leonardo | Note: Supports manufacturer background, technical context, and general operator service status; it does not directly document M-346 use in a specific conflict. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo M-346FAPublisher: Leonardo | Note: Supports the M-346FA light-combat derivative, its mission set, and technical data. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo-Finmeccanica unveils the new M-346FTPublisher: Leonardo S.p.A. | Note: Supports the M-346FT Fighter Trainer designation and its trainer-to-operational mission positioning. | Accessed: 2026-07-13The Aermacchi M-346FA: multirole masterPublisher: Leonardo S.p.A. | Note: Supports the FA as an evolution of the FT version and as an M-346 advanced trainer derivative with added light-combat features. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo signs contract for 12 M-346 F Block 20 aircraft for AustriaPublisher: Leonardo S.p.A. | Note: Supports the Austrian M-346 F Block 20 contract and the Block 20 configuration features. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo Indonesia M-346 F Block 20 letter of intentPublisher: Leonardo S.p.A. | Note: Supports Indonesia's M-346 F Block 20 letter of intent, selection context, and stated training/light-combat requirements. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Italian Air Force T-346APublisher: Italian Air Force | Note: Supports T-346A as the Italian Air Force designation for the Aermacchi M-346 and its Phase IV LIFT role. | Accessed: 2026-07-13RSAF inaugurates the M-346 into 150 SquadronPublisher: Singapore Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports Singapore's M-346 acquisition, first delivery, full 12-aircraft fleet, and 150 Squadron inauguration. | Accessed: 2026-07-13IDF Lavi trainer arrivalPublisher: Israel Defense Forces | Note: Supports the Israeli Lavi training-aircraft designation and the first three aircraft received in 2014. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Greek MOD M-346 arrival at KalamataPublisher: Hellenic Republic Ministry of National Defence | Note: Supports Greece's first two M-346 deliveries at Kalamata and the planned ten-aircraft training-centre procurement. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Polish Armed Forces M-346 BielikPublisher: Polish Armed Forces | Note: Supports Bielik as the Polish M-346 service name and advanced-training role. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Polish Armed Forces M-346 delivery completedPublisher: Polish Armed Forces | Note: Supports completion of Poland's ordered M-346 deliveries and the 16-aircraft fleet milestone. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Aermacchi M-346FA brochurePublisher: Leonardo Aeronautics | Note: Supports detailed M-346FA configuration, weapon carriage, mission roles, performance, and dimensions. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Rafael Litening 5 and RecceLite for M-346FAPublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Supports Rafael's statement that it signed an agreement with Leonardo to supply fifth-generation Litening 5 and RecceLite systems for M-346FA aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-13120 million Euros for three M-346 aircraftPublisher: Leonardo S.p.A. | Note: Supports the Italian contract value for three additional M-346 trainers, including ground-based training system and logistic support. | Accessed: 2026-07-13NAF M-346 procurement in ItalyPublisher: Nigerian Air Force | Note: Supports Nigeria's announced acquisition and delivery planning for M-346 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Nigeria expands fleet with Italian jets and helicoptersPublisher: Reuters | Note: Supports the broader Nigerian fleet expansion context in which M-346 procurement appears. | Accessed: 2026-07-13M-346: 100,000 flight hours provenPublisher: Leonardo Aeronautics | Note: Supports the global M-346 fleet milestone and service context. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo delivered the final batch of four M-346 aircraft to Polish Air ForcePublisher: Leonardo Aeronautics | Note: Supports Poland's fleet size and delivery milestone. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Aermacchi M-346.JPGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Publicly hosted image of an M-346 aircraft for page media use. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Leonardo, M-346FA (35640670416).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Publicly hosted image of the M-346FA variant for page media use. | Accessed: 2026-07-13Alenia Aermacchi M346 Master (7976005309).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Publicly hosted image of the M-346 Master for page media use. | Accessed: 2026-07-13