The aircraft will operate from the International Tactical Training Centre in North Bay, Ontario. Leonardo said the order will support ITPS Canada’s effort to meet growing demand for advanced tactical training from more than ten air forces globally.
The contract was signed by ITPS Executive Chairman Giorgio Clementi during a ceremony at Venegono in Italy. The event also included a final evaluation flight of the aircraft.
“The M346 continues Italy’s illustrious track record of producing world leading jet trainer aircraft,” Clementi said.
The new trainers will contribute to the first capability enhancement project for the ITTC fleet. The centre is already providing training to several international customers.
ITPS Canada has more than 25 years of experience delivering advanced and specialist flight test and military tactical training. The company has provided training in Canada to more than 29 air arms.
In October 2025, ITPS Chief Executive Dave Lohse conducted an airborne evaluation of the M-346 advanced jet trainer in airspace north of Ottawa International Airport. He said the aircraft closely matched the needs of modern fighter pilot training.
“The M-346 is an exceptionally capable advanced jet trainer that aligns closely with the operational requirements of modern fighter pilot training,” Lohse said.
“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,” Lohse said.
“As allied air forces look to expand training capacity and interoperability, the M-346 will help enable ITTC to welcome pilots from Canada and partner nations to train together in a modern and operationally focused environment,” he added.
Leonardo Aeronautics Division Managing Director Stefano Bortoli said the M-346 has advanced both as a system and in the market. “The M-346 has made remarkable progress in recent years, from both a system evolution and continued market success perspective, becoming the backbone of one-of-a-kind integrated training capabilities hosting a rapidly growing number of Air Forces on a global scale,” he said.
“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,” Bortoli said.
“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,” he added.
Leonardo said the M-346 is the core element of an advanced flight training system that continues to evolve. The aircraft has logged more than 160,000 flight hours, with more than 160 aircraft sold to date.
The platform is used to train pilots for high-performance fighters including the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 and next-generation combat air systems. Twenty countries, including Canada, already train pilots on the M-346 or have selected the aircraft, including in the multirole light fighter version.
The M-346 has also been selected by the Italian Air Force as the future aircraft of the Frecce Tricolori, Italy’s national aerobatic team. Leonardo said the selection reflects the aircraft’s performance, capability and manoeuvrability.
ITPS Canada provides advanced military tactical training, flight test training, engineering, maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The company employs more than 200 staff at facilities in London, Ontario, and North Bay.
