Canada has begun negotiations with Italy for the potential acquisition of Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainers, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during the G7 summit in France.
Neither government disclosed how many aircraft could be involved or when a deal might be finalized.
According to the statement, the proposed acquisition would help the Royal Canadian Air Force establish its own advanced jet training capability while reducing reliance on overseas training programs.
The M-346 is one of the most widely used advanced jet trainers in service today and is employed by more than 20 countries. The aircraft is also used by Italy's International Flight Training School, where pilots from several nations receive advanced training before transitioning to frontline fighters.
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Canada already has a connection to the type. Earlier this year, the International Test Pilots School (ITPS), based in Ontario, announced an order for six M-346 aircraft that will be used at a future NATO training center.
The twin-engine trainer was originally developed in the 1990s through a partnership between Italy's Aermacchi and Russia's Yakovlev. The companies later split and pursued separate programs, resulting in the M-346 and the Yakovlev Yak-130. Although both aircraft share common origins, they evolved into distinct designs with different avionics, systems and operational concepts.
Leonardo has continued to promote the M-346 internationally in recent years. The company is offering a version of the aircraft for the US Navy's Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) requirement and recently signed a letter of intent with Indonesia covering future cooperation involving the trainer.
The aircraft has also become a common training platform for pilots preparing to fly modern combat aircraft, including the F-35 and Saab Gripen.
The announcement comes as Canada continues to evaluate the future structure of its combat aviation fleet. Local media recently reported that Ottawa is studying options that could expand fighter aircraft procurement plans beyond the current F-35 program.
While the M-346 discussions are separate from Canada's fighter acquisition efforts, the trainer could provide a domestic pathway for preparing pilots destined for future frontline aircraft.
