"The mention of the 6th generation fighters is not casual, as the Italian Air Force is also starting to look at the future training requirements for the pilots that will fly the Global Combat Air Programme’s (GCAP) manned fighter. The modernization was also highlighted by the Managing Director of Leonardo’s Aeronautic Division, Stefano Bortoli."

“The M-345 is the result of Leonardo’s consolidated experience in the military trainer sector, the result of the success of aircraft such as the SIAI-Marchetti SF-260, the Aermacchi MB-326 and the Aermacchi MB-339,” said Bortoli. “The latter, in particular, has been in service for 45 years, training Italian and foreign military pilots and colouring the skies around the world with the Italian flag of the National Aerobatic Team, which will very soon adopt Leonardo’s M-346 as its new aircraft. Thanks to the introduction of the M-345 and its integration into the Armed Forces’ training syllabus, which already includes the M-346 for subsequent training phases, the Italian Air Force will be able to boast the most modern fixed-wing military training system in Europe.”