Italian Air Force introduces new T-345A trainer aircraft for future fighter pilot training.

On June 12, 2025, the Italian Air Force officially inducted the M-345 trainer/light attack aircraft, designated as T-345A, into service at Galatina Air Base (Lecce), marking the operational replacement of the MB-339A (T-339A) after nearly 45 years of use. The ceremony at the 61st Wing represented the transition to a modernized flight training syllabus for military pilots and included participation from top military officials and Leonardo representatives.
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The first five instructors trained on the T-345 joined four previously certified by Leonardo, and the first class of six student pilots, four Italians and two international, are scheduled to begin training in July 2025. (Picture source: X/Leonardo)

The M-345, designated as T-345A in Italian service, developed and manufactured by Leonardo at its facility in Venegono Superiore (Varese), was presented as the new standard aircraft for Phase II and Phase III of pilot training. The event featured a flypast involving a mixed formation of T-339A and T-345 aircraft, a static display of various training platforms, and presentations of Leonardo's ground-based simulation and training technologies, including the Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) and Ground-Based Training System (GBTS).

The phase-out of the MB-339, introduced at Galatina in October 1981, was symbolized by a formation flight in which a T-339A separated from three T-345s before climbing away, representing the end of the older aircraft’s training mission. The display area included six T-345s currently assigned to the base, MB-339A/CD aircraft in commemorative liveries, a T-346, a SIAI 208M, a SF-260, and a legacy MB-326. The ceremony also featured a historical exhibition covering over 400,000 flight hours completed by the MB-339 in the training of both Italian and foreign pilots. A T-339A control stick mounted on Lecce limestone was presented by General Frigerio to Colonel Liccardo, commander of the 61st Wing. General Franco Bonazzi, who piloted the MB-339’s prototype flight at Galatina in 1976, addressed the audience via a video message. The first five instructors trained on the T-345 joined four previously certified by Leonardo, and the first class of six student pilots, four Italians and two international, are scheduled to begin training in July 2025.

The M-345 operates alongside the M-346 in a combined system covering the full pilot training syllabus. The T-345A replaces the MB-339 for basic and advanced training, while the M-346 is used in Phase IV for lead-in to fighter training. The aircraft is powered by a Williams International FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine with a thrust of 3,460 lbf and offers a cruise speed of approximately 787 km/h at 20,000 feet. Designed with a 15,000-hour airframe life, the M-345 features a digital cockpit with three multifunction LCDs, a head-up display (HUD), tandem Martin-Baker Mk.IT16D ejection seats, and HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) flight controls. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of 4,500 kg, a service ceiling of 12,190 meters, and a range of 1,410 to 1,550 km. With a thrust-to-weight ratio of 0.45 and a g-limit of +7/−3.5, the aircraft is intended to minimize operating costs while offering performance comparable to that of high-end turboprops.

The M-345 supports both live and synthetic training environments through the ETTS, which simulates multi-domain operational scenarios using virtual threats, targets, computer-generated forces, and simulated sensors and weapons. The system supports live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training integration and enables pilots to conduct realistic combat mission scenarios while in flight. The ETTS complements the GBTS, which includes full-mission simulators and mission planning tools. Leonardo designed the M-345 to operate within a two-level maintenance framework, eliminating the need for depot-level overhauls. The Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) supports predictive maintenance by monitoring the aircraft’s structure, engine, and systems. The M-345 also features pressure refueling and an On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) to reduce ground crew requirements and shorten turnaround times.

The M-345 is equipped with four underwing pylons that support a payload of over 1,000 kg. It is compatible with infrared-guided air-to-air missiles, 500-pound general-purpose bombs, rocket pods, and gun pods. This allows it to fulfill light operational roles in addition to its primary training mission. According to Leonardo, this dual capability is similar to the M-346, which is also offered in a fighter-attack configuration. The cockpit is compatible with night vision equipment, and avionics include dual mission computers, GPS/INS navigation, radar altimeter, IFF transponder, TAS, and TCAS systems. Optional upgrades include a store's management system, embedded simulation, and digital moving map. The aircraft is configured to support the progression of student pilots toward 4th, 5th, and 6th-generation combat aircraft. The 214th Squadron will operate the T-345A for Phase II training, with Phase III training still relying on the T-339CD until full transition is achieved. The T-339A fleet is being withdrawn, with some airframes placed in reserve and others transferred to Venegono.

The M-345 traces its lineage to the SIAI-Marchetti S.211, which first flew in 1981. Aermacchi acquired SIAI-Marchetti in 1997 and rebranded the aircraft as the M-311, introducing a reinforced airframe and updated avionics. The M-345 emerged in 2012 as a further development, incorporating a new engine, composite materials, and digital systems. The first flight of the production-standard M-345 occurred in December 2018. In 2013, Alenia Aermacchi signed an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Defense to define the operational requirements of the M-345 HET. The selected engine was the Williams FJ44-4M, derived from the FJ44-4A and optimized for military and aerobatic use. The M-345 is structurally designed to operate up to 15,000 flight hours and incorporates simplified access panels to reduce maintenance complexity. Leonardo has offered the M-345 internationally, including proposals to France for Alpha Jet replacement and to Chile and South Africa for potential co-development or co-production agreements.

The MB-339, which the M-345 replaces, is an advanced trainer and light attack aircraft developed in the 1970s as an evolution of the MB-326. It first flew in 1976 and entered service in 1979. Over 230 units were produced, with the Italian Air Force being the primary user. It has been operated in multiple versions, including the MB-339A, CD, RM, and PAN. The MB-339 saw combat service with the Argentine Naval Aviation during the Falklands War and with the Eritrean Air Force during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War. In Italian service, the MB-339 served both as a trainer and in support roles such as aerial refueling training and aerobatic display with the Frecce Tricolori. The MB-339 was proposed for the U.S. JPATS competition but was not selected. Later variants introduced digital cockpits, additional avionics, and compatibility with modern munitions. Despite upgrades, its replacement was deemed necessary due to its aging systems and the evolving requirements of modern pilot training, leading to the development and fielding of the M-345.