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Canada Chooses M-346 Over T-7A, T-50 for 20-Jet Fleet

6/19/2026

41 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Canada Buys M-346

On June 16 2026 at Summit in Évian, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began talks for Canada to buy M-346, which beat Boeing/Saab’s T-7A and KAI/Lockheed’s T-50.
Following the RCAF’s retirement of its CT-155 Hawk fleet in March 2024, pilots train on M-346s at ENJJPT in Texas and Italy’s IFTS.
Canada aims to buy 20-24 M-346s for a 419 Squadron under FFLIT, targeting service in 2030-2032, contract details undisclosed.

Summary

Canada Secures Trainer

The agreement could make Canada a leading Western operator of Leonardo’s M-346 trainer.
Leonardo called the deal a major export win that should boost its global trainer market share.
The deal fits a broader Canada-Italy defence pact covering critical minerals, energy and supply-chain security.
International Test Pilots School Canada ordered six M-346s for a NATO training centre, to enter service in 2029.

History

Historical Context

After the Cold War, NATO created the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) in 1998 at Sheppard Air Force Base, uniting 14 member air forces under a multinational wing. Canada and Italy each contribute instructor pilots, while Romania joined in 2017. The shared-training model continues to shape member procurement, reinforcing alliance pilot readiness.

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Canada Buys M-346

On June 16 2026 at Summit in Évian, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni began talks for Canada to buy M-346, which beat Boeing/Saab’s T-7A and KAI/Lockheed’s T-50.
Following the RCAF’s retirement of its CT-155 Hawk fleet in March 2024, pilots train on M-346s at ENJJPT in Texas and Italy’s IFTS.
Canada aims to buy 20-24 M-346s for a 419 Squadron under FFLIT, targeting service in 2030-2032, contract details undisclosed.

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