Defense & Military
ITPS Canada Orders Leonardo M-346 T Block 20 Trainers for 2029
ITPS Canada orders six Leonardo M-346 T Block 20 advanced jet trainers to enhance tactical pilot training at North Bay from 2029.
This article is based on an official press release from Leonardo.
In a significant move for the North American defense training sector, ITPS Canada (International Test Pilots School) has officially ordered six Leonardo M-346 T Block 20 advanced jet trainers, with an option to acquire six additional military aircraft. According to a press release from Italian aerospace manufacturers Leonardo, the new fleet will be stationed at the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) in North Bay, Ontario, and is scheduled to enter service in 2029.
This acquisition marks a major milestone, establishing the first privately operated Leonardo M-346 fighter trainer fleet in North America. As NATO and allied air forces face mounting challenges in generating enough pilots for fourth- and fifth-generation fighters, this procurement aims to bridge the gap by modernizing ITPS Canada’s training capabilities to meet evolving operational requirements.
The contract was recently signed by ITPS Executive Chairman Giorgio Clementi at Leonardo’s Venegono plant in Italy. The signing ceremony included a final evaluation flight of the aircraft. While the strategic importance of the deal is clear, the exact monetary value of the contract has not been publicly disclosed by either party.
The M-346 T Block 20: A Technological Leap in Pilot Training
Next-Generation Cockpit and AI Integration
The aircraft selected by ITPS Canada represents the latest iteration of Leonardo’s proven trainer platform. Officially launched at the Farnborough International Air Show in July 2024, the “Block 20” standard introduces comprehensive capability enhancements designed to align pilot skills with the demands of modern multi-domain battlefields. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, the Block 20 features a completely renewed cockpit, replacing the legacy six Multi-Functional Displays (MFD) with two Large Area Displays (LAD), one for each seat, complemented by a low-profile Head-Up Display (HUD).
Beyond hardware upgrades, the new trainers incorporate advanced digital and artificial intelligence features. Leonardo notes that the Ground-Based Training System (GBTS) utilizes virtual reality and AI applications to personalize training paths based on biometric and flight data. Furthermore, the system introduces autonomous AI agents into synthetic scenarios, significantly increasing the complexity and realism of tactical training for student pilots.
Performance and Evaluation
The M-346 is widely recognized for its high thrust-to-weight ratio, wide flight envelope, and extreme maneuverability. These characteristics allow the aircraft to accurately emulate the flight conditions and sensor management of new-generation combat aircraft. The decision to acquire the M-346 followed a rigorous evaluation process. In October 2025, ITPS CEO Dave Lohse conducted an airborne evaluation of the advanced jet trainer in the airspace north of Ottawa International Airport, ultimately validating the platform’s suitability for the ITTC’s needs.
Expanding Canada’s Role as a Tactical Training Hub
Meeting Global Demand
With over 25 years of experience, ITPS provides advanced military tactical training and flight test training to more than 29 air arms globally. The company’s ITTC division currently addresses the demand for advanced tactical training services from over ten different air forces worldwide. The deployment of these advanced trainers in North Bay, Ontario, is expected to bolster Canada’s position as a premier multinational aviation training hub.
“The M-346 continues Italy’s illustrious track record of producing world-leading jet trainer aircraft. The new trainers are expected to enter service at the company’s International Tactical Training Centre base in North Bay (Ontario) starting in 2029, providing a major contribution to the first capability enhancement project of the ITTC fleet, currently active in providing training to several international customers and to meet advanced tactical training service demand from in excess of ten different air forces globally.”
, Giorgio Clementi, Executive Chairman of ITPS, in a statement provided by Leonardo.
AirPro News analysis
At AirPro News, we observe that this agreement highlights a rapidly accelerating trend within the global defense industry: the privatization of advanced military training. State militaries are increasingly relying on private defense contractors like ITPS to provide advanced tactical training and “Red Air” (adversary) services.
This outsourcing model is highly cost-effective. By utilizing high-performance, AI-equipped trainers like the M-346 T Block 20 for complex synthetic engagements, allied air forces can save the precious airframe life of expensive fifth-generation fighters, such as the F-35, reserving them for actual combat operations rather than routine training sorties. Furthermore, the expansion of the ITTC fleet in North Bay signals a significant economic and strategic boost for the region, cementing its status as a critical node for international defense preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Leonardo M-346 T Block 20?
The M-346 T Block 20 is the latest standard of Leonardo’s advanced lead-in jet trainer. Launched in July 2024, it features a modernized cockpit with Large Area Displays, a low-profile HUD, and extensive integration of artificial intelligence and virtual reality in its ground-based training systems.
When will the new aircraft enter service in Canada?
The six confirmed M-346 trainers are expected to enter service at the International Tactical Training Centre (ITTC) in North Bay, Ontario, starting in 2029.
Why are private companies buying military jet trainers?
Private defense contractors like ITPS acquire advanced military hardware to provide outsourced tactical training and adversary (“Red Air”) services to state militaries. This allows air forces to train their pilots against realistic threats without putting unnecessary wear and tear on their own expensive frontline combat aircraft.
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Photo Credit: Leonardo
Defense & Military
EU Funds SHARP Project for Next-Gen Military Helicopter Engine
The EU allocated €25M to the SHARP consortium, 25 partners from 12 countries developing Europe’s next military helicopter engine by 2040.
The European Commission has allocated approximately €25 million through the European Defence Fund to back a multinational consortium developing the propulsion architecture for Europe’s next generation of military helicopters.
Announced on June 11, 2026, at the ILA Berlin airshow, the Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion (SHARP) project brings together 25 partners from 12 European countries. According to a joint press release from Safran Helicopter Engines, MTU Aero Engines, and Avio Aero, the initiative will establish the technological foundation for the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), which is targeted to enter service in 2040.
Addressing an aging military rotorcraft fleet
The SHARP initiative aligns with broader European defense goals to replace a rapidly aging fleet of military aircraft under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) and European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) programs. The current European inventory includes approximately 1,800 transport helicopters and 600 combat helicopters, which currently average 20 years of age. By the 2040s, many of these aircraft will have been in service for over 50 years.
“In light of a continuously aging European fleet of military helicopters the need is obvious: From 2040 onwards, a large proportion of these rotorcraft will have to be replaced,” said Dr. Ottmar Pfänder, Chief Program Officer at MTU Aero Engines. “We joined forces across the continent to underline the importance of this technology program. It will further reinforce European sovereignty and strengthen the European supply chain.”
The funding will be used to develop scalable technological building blocks that can be adapted to various weight classes and mission profiles required by future European armed forces.
Collaborative framework and European sovereignty
The SHARP project builds upon the foundation of the EUropean Military Rotorcraft Engine Alliance (EURA), a 50/50 joint venture established in July 2024 between Safran Helicopter Engines and MTU Aero Engines specifically to develop the ENGHE. The consortium has now expanded to include Avio Aero, broadening the industrial base tasked with designing the new powerplant.
Safran Helicopter Engines CEO Cédric Goubet stated that the funding demonstrates Europe’s commitment to self-reliance and technological sovereignty for future military platforms, thanking the European Union and participating nations for their confidence in the consortium’s capabilities.
“SHARP marks an important milestone in the journey toward Europe’s next-generation rotorcraft engine and reinforces the value of collaboration in developing sovereign, high-performance propulsion technologies,” said Riccardo Procacci, CEO of Avio Aero. “We are proud to partner with EURA on this initiative, contributing within a fully European framework while leveraging Avio Aero’s well-established expertise and know-how.”
EURA CEO Wolfgang Gärtner confirmed that the joint venture is prepared to coordinate the multinational team to provide modern technologies to European forces.
AirPro News analysis
The €25 million European Defence Fund grant represents a critical early step in aligning Europe’s fragmented defense aerospace sector behind a single rotorcraft propulsion program. By formalizing the SHARP consortium now, the European Union is actively working to prevent the development of competing, incompatible national engine programs that have historically complicated European defense procurement and increased long-term maintenance costs. We view the inclusion of Avio Aero alongside the EURA joint venture as a strong indicator that the ENGHE program is successfully consolidating the continent’s primary propulsion manufacturers ahead of the 2040 target.
Sources: Safran Group
Photo Credit: Safran Group
Defense & Military
Boeing MQ-25A Stingray Aboard USS Nimitz at FLEETEX 250
Boeing’s MQ-25A T1 demonstrator appeared on USS Nimitz during FLEETEX 250, weeks after Navy LRIP approval.
The Boeing Company’s MQ-25A Stingray T1 demonstrator drone appeared aboard the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Atlantic Ocean on June 25, 2026, sporting special commemorative markings for the United States’ 250th anniversary. The uncrewed aircraft was photographed alongside Boeing F/A-18E Super Hornets and a Grumman C-2A Greyhound during a multinational group sail event.
The deployment provides a visual representation of the United States Navy’s future carrier air wing as the MQ-25 program transitions into its next production phase. Boeing Defense and the Navy publicly released imagery of the static display on June 29, 2026.
FLEETEX 250 and commemorative display
The T1 prototype was painted in a plain gray livery and featured “250” and “Boeing Backs America” markings. In a statement released on the social media platform X, Boeing Defense noted that the display was intended to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial and offer a glimpse of future carrier operations.
The USS Nimitz hosted the drone during Fleet Exercise (FLEETEX) 250. A Navy spokesperson told TWZ that the exercise involved 25 other warships and aircraft from 13 partner and allied nations conducting structured training events at sea. The spokesperson confirmed the presence of the Boeing-owned T1 prototype on the flight deck.
Aviation analysts at The Aviationist observed that the drone lacked the Cobham Aerial Refueling Store (ARS) pod, which is typically mounted under the left wing for refueling operations. The T1 demonstrator has never taken off from or landed on an aircraft carrier and was transported aboard the USS Nimitz for the exercise. It remains unconfirmed whether the uncrewed aircraft actively participated in any operational drills or if its presence was strictly for static display and photo opportunities.
Program milestones and carrier transitions
The appearance of the T1 demonstrator follows several recent advancements for the MQ-25 program. The Boeing-owned prototype originally flew on September 19, 2019, and previously conducted flight deck handling and remote control system demonstrations aboard the USS George H.W. Bush in December 2021.
On April 25, 2026, the first production-representative MQ-25 completed its maiden flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Illinois. The following month, the Navy officially approved the uncrewed tanker program’s transition into Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
The FLEETEX 250 exercise also marked a significant operational transition for the Navy’s legacy aircraft. On June 25, 2026, the Grumman C-2A Greyhound made its final catapult launch and arrested landing from a carrier aboard the USS Nimitz. The C-2A is anticipated to be fully retired later in the year.
AirPro News analysis
The static display aboard the USS Nimitz offers a stark visual contrast between the Navy’s past and its immediate future. Placing the MQ-25A Stingray next to the retiring C-2A Greyhound highlights the physical footprint required to integrate advanced uncrewed assets into the carrier air wing. While the T1 demonstrator’s presence was largely ceremonial for the 250th anniversary, the recent approval for Low-Rate Initial Production indicates that the logistical and operational challenges of deploying uncrewed tankers at sea are moving from theoretical testing to active fleet integration. We expect the focus to shift rapidly toward deck handling and maintenance procedures for the production-representative models in the coming months.
Sources: Boeing Defense
Photo Credit: Boeing
Defense & Military
NATO Expected to Select Saab GlobalEye to Replace AWACS Fleet
NATO is set to announce the Saab GlobalEye as its E-3A Sentry replacement at the July 2026 Ankara summit, bypassing Boeing’s E-7 Wedgetail.
This article summarizes reporting by Reuters by Sabine Siebold and Tim Hepher.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is preparing to select the Saab GlobalEye to replace its aging fleet of Boeing E-3A Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft, marking a significant shift toward European defense procurement. The official announcement is expected during the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, scheduled for July 7 and 8, 2026.
According to reporting by Reuters, four sources familiar with the matter indicated that the alliance will pivot away from its previous intention to acquire the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. The decision represents a major defense contract for Sweden-based Saab AB and a notable setback for The Boeing Company in the airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) market. Neither NATO nor Saab has officially commented on the pending announcement.
Transitioning from the E-3A Sentry
NATO currently operates a fleet of 14 Boeing E-3A Sentry AWACS aircraft. Based at Geilenkirchen Air Base in Germany, these aircraft have been in service since 1982 and are approaching the end of their operational lifespan. The Saab GlobalEye, which completed its first flight in 2018, utilizes a modified Bombardier Global 6000 or 6500 business jet airframe equipped with Saab’s Erieye extended-range radar system.
The Boeing E-7 Wedgetail fallout
The anticipated selection of the GlobalEye follows a series of procurement shifts regarding the Boeing E-7 Wedgetail. NATO had initially planned to purchase six E-7 aircraft to replace the E-3A Sentry fleet. The alliance abandoned this plan in 2025 after the United States Department of Defense (Pentagon) canceled its own procurement of 26 Wedgetails in favor of satellite-based surveillance networks.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth indicated to Congress in May 2026 that the Pentagon is attempting to reinstate the E-7 into the budget following pressure from U.S. lawmakers. Despite these efforts, international momentum appears to be shifting toward the Swedish manufacturer. On May 27, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the Government of Canada had entered formal negotiations with Saab as the preferred supplier for its own AEW&C program, bypassing the Boeing platform.
AirPro News analysis
We view NATO’s expected selection of the Saab GlobalEye as a critical indicator of changing procurement dynamics within the alliance. Historically, NATO has relied heavily on U.S.-manufactured heavy surveillance platforms. The shift to a European-integrated system on a Canadian business jet airframe suggests a growing preference for diversified defense supply chains and potentially lower operating costs compared to commercial airliner-based platforms like the E-7. If confirmed at the Ankara summit, this contract will solidify Saab’s position as a primary competitor in the global AEW&C market while placing additional pressure on Boeing’s defense sector to secure international orders for the Wedgetail program.
Sources: Reuters
Photo Credit: Saab