As part of its fleet modernization process, the Italian Air Force is moving forward with the replacement of its MB-339A (T-339A) trainer aircraft with the new Leonardo T-345A, following nearly 45 years of service. In a ceremony held on June 12 at Galatina Air Base, home of the 61st Wing, the T-345’s induction was officially marked, signaling the end of an era in which the T-339A trained dozens of military pilots since its arrival at the base in October 1981, accumulating over 400,000 flight hours.
The event, led by the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, General Antonio Conserva, and attended by senior officers, technicians, active pilots, and veterans, represented an emotional generational handover between aircraft. During the traditional symbolic flight, a T-339A led a mixed formation alongside three T-345As. In the final pass, the veteran Aermacchi broke away from the formation and ascended solo into the sky—an evocative gesture marking the farewell to an era and the handover of its legacy to its successor.
The T-339A concludes its role as a basic trainer but will not disappear completely. It will remain in service in its modernized T-339CD version for advanced training phases and, notably, will continue representing Italy around the world with the renowned Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team, which still operates this model. Meanwhile, full integration of the T-345A into pilot training at the 61st Wing is scheduled to begin in July of this year.
Developed by Leonardo based on decades of experience with military trainers such as the Aermacchi SF-260, MB-326, and MB-339, the M-345 is set to become the new cornerstone of initial (Phase II) and basic-advanced (Phase III) military pilot training. Now operational, the system is designed to offer the performance of a jet aircraft while maintaining operating costs similar to those of an advanced turboprop.
The T-345A features a fully digital avionics suite and a modern human-machine interface, including a tandem-seat cockpit, HOTAS controls, HUD, and three multifunction touchscreen displays. This advanced technology allows for an immersive training experience and is part of an integrated training ecosystem that includes high-fidelity simulators and ground-based instruction systems.
Powered by a Williams FJ44-4M-34 turbofan engine optimized for military use, the aircraft delivers an excellent balance of performance, fuel efficiency, and operational sustainability. It also includes an integrated health monitoring system that reduces maintenance time and increases fleet availability, ensuring extended service life with efficient logistics.
The pairing of the T-345A with the already well-established T-346A Master—used for advanced training at the International Flight Training School (IFTS) in Decimomannu Air Base, Sardinia—positions the Italian Air Force as a European leader in military pilot training. This modular structure not only maximizes resource efficiency but also enables future aviators to be trained from the early stages to operate 4th, 5th, and even 6th-generation fighter jets.
Image credits: Italian Air Force – Leonardo.
You may also like: Italy accuses the United Kingdom of not sharing key technologies for the development of the new sixth-generation GCAP fighter
