Austria's Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner Secures Leonardo Jet Trainer Deal

Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner visited Leonardo's facilities in Italy, inspecting the M‑346FA jet trainers that Austria will acquire. The contract, signed for roughly €1.6 billion, provides twelve aircraft to be delivered from 2028 and based at Linz‑Hörsching, with an option for a further dozen.

Tanner also addressed broader procurement issues, noting the pending Eurofighter replacement programme estimated at €10 billion, and the possibility of expanding investment in drones. She stressed that political considerations should not hinder defence decisions. Concurrently, she discussed the upcoming conscription reform, outlining the “8 plus 2” model favoured by the governing coalition and supported by parts of the opposition, while other parties propose “6 plus 2” or a volunteer system.

The minister affirmed that no delays are expected for the Eurofighter acquisition and highlighted the need for a clear commitment to sustain Austria’s air‑defence capabilities amid a changing geopolitical environment.