The ITPS Canada has ordered six M-346T Block 20, with options for six more, to support the expansion of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot training.
Leonard has announced that the International Test Pilots School Canada (ITPS Canada) has ordered the M-346T Block 20 as its new jet trainer. ITPS Canada provides both flight test training (with the International Test Pilots School) and advanced military tactical training, with the M-346 planned to support the latter.
The acquisition
The company said the new trainer will support the expansion of NATO and Allied tactical fighter pilot training at its International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) in North Bay, Ontario. A total of six M-346s have been ordered, with options to acquire six more and expected to enter service in 2029.
The value of the contract has not been disclosed. Although not mentioned in the press release, the contract is likely including also the Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) as part of the larger M-346 Integrated Training System.
ITPS Executive Chairman Giorgio Clementi signed the contract during a ceremony at Leonardo’s Venegono plant in Italy. The ceremony also included a final evaluation flight of the aircraft, said the press release.
“The M346 continues Italy’s illustrious track record of producing world leading jet trainer aircraft,” said Clementi. The aircraft are expected to provide a major contribution to the first capability enhancement project of the ITTC fleet, meeting the needs of more than ten customer air forces.
Previously, in October 2025, ITPS CEO Dave Lohse conducted an airborne evaluation of the Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer in the airspace north of Ottawa International Airport. This coincided with the period during which the M-346 was in North America to be part of a showcase tour for the U.S. Navy Undergraduate Jet Training System (UJTS) program.
“The M-346 is an exceptionally capable advanced jet trainer that aligns closely with the operational requirements of modern fighter pilot training,” Lohse said following the evaluation flight. “The aircraft’s performance, digital flight control system, and advanced training architecture make it an ideal platform to support the next phase of growth for the International Tactical Training Centre.”
The contract was well welcomed by Leonardo, with Stefano Bortoli, Leonardo Aeronautics Division’s Managing Director, noting the M-346’s remarkable evolution and market success. The aircraft is already in service in seven countries, with two more waiting for the delivery of their aircraft.
Leonardo further said that the global fleet has surpassed 160,000 flight hours, with more than 160 aircraft sold to date. The aircraft has also been assessed as an ideal platform for the training of pilots destined to both 5th generation jets, such as the F-35 Lightning II, and the upcoming 6th generation, such as the Global Combat Air Programme’s (GCAP) manned fighter.
“The decision of ITPS to select and procure the M-346 to deliver world class lead-in fighter training for the next generation of pilots and allow them to face rapidly changing and increasingly challenging operational scenarios, provides further evidence of the undisputable high performance of the system,” said Bortoli. “We’re committed to working with ITPS to make sure they can maximize the benefits of this latest technology and capability in order to maintain and even expand the quality level of the service their customers deserve.”
It is unclear if the M-346 is meant to replace the L-39 fleet Albatross currently in service with the ITPS. Previously, ITPS Canada also evaluated the KAI FA-50 Fighting Eagle, signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the manufacturer in 2020.
At the time, the company planned to buy between eight and twelve aircraft to replace the eight L-39s in service. It now appears however that the plan was abandoned and the FA-50 procurement has been replaced with the M-346.
M-346 Block 20
Leonardo announced at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show the launch of a comprehensive capability enhancement package for the M-346. This major upgrade comes as the M-346 fleet surpassed 100,000 flight hours as well as ten years of service.
Both M-346 AJT (Advanced Jet Trainer) training and M-346 LFFA (Light Fighter Family of Aircraft) fighter variants will benefit from these enhancements for a wide spectrum of applications, while implying significant margin for further developments in the future. Leonardo said that ‘M-346 T Block 20’ and ‘M-346 F Block 20’ are the designations for the new standard of both aircraft.
The Block 20 standard cockpit will be completely renewed, featuring two Large Area Displays (LAD), one per each seat, replacing the existing six Multi-Functional Displays (MFD), plus a low-profile Head-Up Display (HUD). These will be combined with a new digital video and data recorder and a new augmented reality Helmet Mounted Display (HMD).
The M-346 Block 20 will also benefit from new navigation, weapon management, flight management system, IFF (Identification of Friend or Foe) transponder. Specifically for the M-346 F variant, further critical capability enhancements include an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar featuring fire control radar capability, integration of new weapons for both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles in addition to a built-in missile datalink.