Federal Army Confirms Saab Successor

In collaboration with Italy, Austria will acquire twelve Leonardo M-346FA jets, announced the Ministry of Defence. The complete training of pilots will be brought to Austria and air defence will be strengthened, emphasized Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP).

Negotiations for Saab Successor Contract Still Underway

The necessary budget funds for the purchase have already been planned and approved in the multi-year financial framework and in the Federal Army's development plan for 2022, according to the press release. The costs would amount to one billion euros, said Chief of Staff Rudolf Striedinger on Ö1's "Mittagsjournal". This includes not only the aircraft but also "accompanying phenomena" such as system costs and probably also part of the required infrastructure.

The contract is currently still being negotiated with the Italian government. The Italian Ministry of Defence, which itself wants to acquire jet trainers, had offered this cooperation. Tanner had commissioned the Directorate General Presidency in the summer to examine the acquisition of the Leonardo jet trainers. The Italian armed forces would now purchase aircraft for themselves and for the Federal Army, Austria would then buy these from the Italian government, Striedinger told Ö1. He estimates that the first Leonardo jets will arrive in Austria between 2027 and 2029. The Austrian economy is also to be involved through industrial cooperation, the Ministry of Defence said.

Tanner Follows General Staff Recommendation with Decision on Saab Successor

The Leonardo M-346 FA is a two-seater, weapon-capable subsonic jet. It is to be used in Austria for the training of pilots, to support the land forces and for air defence. "With the purchase of the jets, we are closing a significant capability gap in our air forces," Tanner is quoted as saying. She is following the recommendation of the General Staff with the purchase. The decision is also positive for the state of Upper Austria, emphasized Governor Thomas Stelzer (ÖVP). The Vogler air base in Linz-Hörsching will thus be strengthened in its military relevance.

For Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP), the cooperation is proof of the "good cooperation and friendship between Italy and Austria. My special thanks go to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who made a significant contribution to the conclusion of this agreement." Because the Saab 105 had to be retired due to age, the Federal Army gave up its two-fleet system. Since then, the training of Eurofighter pilots has completely shifted from domestic to foreign, which is costly. In 2022, Tanner ordered the examination of the purchase of new jet trainers.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.