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Canadian Fighter Pilot School to Get M-346 Trainer Jets From Leonardo
The deal gives ITPS six firm jets and options for six more as it expands training for Canadian and allied pilots.
- On Tuesday, Leonardo SpA sold up to 12 M-346 trainer jets to ITPS Canada, marking the aircraft's first entry into the Canadian market with deliveries beginning in 2029.
- NATO countries face surging demand for pilot training as defence budgets climb, while the Royal Canadian Air Force currently conducts all advanced training outside Canada and seeks modern trainers for 5th-generation fighters.
- The M-346 typically sells for US$20-million to US$40-million per aircraft; assuming US$30-million per jet, the full 12-aircraft purchase could exceed US$350-million in value, with ITPS selecting the Block 20 variant featuring a Large Area Display cockpit.
- Pilots from NATO countries and partner nations will train together at ITPS's International Tactical Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario, as the company plans to expand the model to other countries where approximately 20 nations already operate M-346s.
- Leonardo simultaneously pursues larger contracts with the Royal Canadian Air Force against the Boeing-Saab T-7 Red Hawk and targets the U.S. Navy market through a Textron partnership to replace aging Boeing T-45 Goshawks.
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North Bay to host six new fighter jets for NATO training purposes
To meet Canada’s evolving tactical training requirements, the International Test Pilots School of Canada has ordered six new jet trainers that will be located at the centre’s training base in North Bay.
·Ontario, Canada
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Six new Leonardo M-346 jets set for North Bay training centre in 2029
Six new advanced jet trainers are slated to arrive in North Bay starting in 2029 as the International Tactical Training Centre ramps up capacity for NATO and allied fighter pilot instruction. ITTC Canada says the local expansion is already underway at Jack Garland Airport
·North Bay, Canada
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left1Leaning Right2Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 17%
C 50%
R 33%
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