The service says its M-345 offers capabilities that turboprops can’t match and has already employed the trainer to emulate cruise missiles in an aggressor role during a NATO exercise.
Having recently reached the milestone of 2,000 flight hours with this type and with all 18 ordered aircraft already delivered, the Italian Air Force shared some interesting insights about its experience with the M-345 jet trainer during a press conference held at the Farnborough International Air Show on 22 July 2026.
The briefing, organized by Leonardo, manufacturer of the aircraft also known as the M-345 HET (High-Efficiency Trainer), focused on the initial operational capability achieved by Military Aeronautics with the new aircraft, which began to be used for real training courses in 2024.
In the presence of Tommaso Pani, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Leonardo’s Aeronautical Division, and Commander Giacomo “Jack” Iannelli, head of Leonardo’s trainer test pilot project, Lieutenant Colonel Simone Perricci, commander of the 214th Group (Squadron) of the 61st Stormo (Wing), at Lecce-Galatina Air Base, provided some interesting insights into the airline’s first, rather intense, two years of operations. Italian. Air Force School, on M-345.
Firstly, the M-345, designated T-345 by the Italian Air Force, is not “just” an aircraft, but part of an integrated training system similar to that of the M-346 (T-346 in ItAF service). In fact, ground training is as important as the aircraft used for the actual flight phase. The M-345 shares a “common training philosophy” with the M-346, and the aircraft is part of an integrated netcentric system, which allowed a significant reduction in the time needed for training while improving its quality and efficiency.
According to figures shared by Lieutenant Colonel Perricci, the duration of the training course has been reduced from 12 to nine months. The balance between simulator sessions and real sorties has also changed: 35% of training activities now take place in a virtual environment and 65% involve real flights, compared to the previous 20/80 split.
The T-345 is a basic training aircraft whose characteristics and performance can be used throughout the entire training program, from Primary Pilot Training to Specialized Pilot Training. The plane allows the call Jet Ab Initio [Jet from the beginning] training, making available performance characteristics that are considered crucial to prepare student pilots for next generation combat systems: speed in the range of 0 to 400 knots, high G-load (+7/-3) and a roll rate comparable to that of the M-346 and other fast aircraft.
For this reason, both the Italian Air Force, which invested in this type and revised its training model accordingly, and Leonardo (which is a world leader in fighter pilot training), believe that jet aircraft can expand basic training in ways that simply cannot be matched by turboprops.
“Student pilots need to see high speed and high G forces, and this is exactly what the M-345 provides,” says Perricci.
We welcome the new velivolo addestratore, which enters service to the 61° Stormo.
Illinois #T345Aproduct gives #leonardo The point of modern avionics, cutting-edge technology, increased efficiency and operational flexibility, is the destination for the incorporation of military pilots. pic.twitter.com/684Z3mZbxE— Aeronáutica Militare (@ItalianAirForce) June 12, 2025
The aircraft is equipped with the latest technologies, such as HUD (Head Up Display), multi-functional touch screens, exposing students to the systems used in frontline aircraft, from the early stages of their training, so that they can gradually improve their competencies in the use of advanced avionics long before reaching the OCUs (Operational Conversion Units).
The onboard systems require minimal maintenance and allow for maximum safety and reliability. While not disclosed, its operating costs are said to be comparable to those of a turboprop aircraft. The Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine is equipped with a modern digital control system and provides good thrust with low fuel consumption. In this sense, Iannelli explained that the aircraft allowed test flights of up to two hours in duration, compared to the usual 50 minutes for previous generation training aircraft. Perricci confirmed that by burning approximately 1 kg of fuel per nautical mile and 700 kg of fuel tanks, the aircraft can fly for more than 2 hours, allowing different training profiles to be carried out during the same sortie, making the training longer and more realistic.
“The plane is very efficient and very cheap,” says Perricci.
That is why Leonardo believes there is significant export potential for the M-345 training system, either as a stand-alone solution or as part of a multi-aircraft training model alongside the M-346, particularly in Eastern Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia.
@LDO_Aeronautics and @Italian Air Force They say the performance of jet trainer aircraft remains crucial to preparing the next generation of fighter pilots who will fly fifth- and sixth-generation aircraft. pic.twitter.com/ekERMbhgUE
– The Aviationist (@TheAviationist) July 22, 2026
Aggressor role
In addition to its training activities, the 214th Squadron also took on an operational role when it participated in the NATO Tiger Gathering in Araxos, Greece, as an observer: the squadron’s emblem features a cat, and the NATO Tiger Gathering brings together units whose insignia depict tigers or other felines.
The squadron’s participation was not merely symbolic: the T-345 HET aircraft were used in a fighter support role similar to what the T-346 did 10 years ago during an iteration of the TLP. According to Perricci, two aircraft simulated the flight profiles of cruise missiles. One was intercepted, while the other managed to reach its designated target.
“This was not a one-off experience. We have already been invited and will likely participate in the same role at next year’s NATO Tiger Meet 2027, which will be held at Gioia del Colle Air Base in Italy,” Perricci said.
