Canada begins talks with Italy on buying advanced trainer jets

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 16 Jun, 2026 09:47 AM

Canada and Italy have entered talks for Canada’s purchase of M-346 advanced jet trainer aircraft.

The announcement was made after a meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the G7 summit in Évian-les-Bains.

The jets are designed and produced by Leonardo, one of Italy’s largest aerospace companies.

It’s unclear how many jets Canada is looking to purchase.

The leaders say the agreement will enable the Royal Canadian Air Force to train in “state-of-the-art" equipment and build sovereign training capability.

Earlier this year, the International Test Pilots School of Canada ordered six Italian-made M-346 fighter jets for a new NATO training centre in North Bay.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Supreme Court to hear challenge of law allowing Ontario Place redevelopment

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal from a coalition challenging the constitutionality of legislation that opens the door to major changes at Ontario Place.

Supreme Court to hear challenge of law allowing Ontario Place redevelopment

Calls for caution as Carney prepares to meet Xi amid new global political order

Former Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip is a longtime critic of China, who has accused its government of "crimes against humanity" after a crackdown on dissent in the Chinese special administrative region.

Calls for caution as Carney prepares to meet Xi amid new global political order

Novo Nordisk considers competing with generics through renamed lower-price Ozempic

Novo Nordisk Canada is considering competing with generic versions of its brand-name Ozempic and Wegovy drugs by introducing renamed, lower-priced copies of the medications.

Novo Nordisk considers competing with generics through renamed lower-price Ozempic

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

NDP leadership candidates are entering the final sprint to sign up members and raise the last of four $25,000 payments required to be on the ballot.

NDP leadership candidates sprint to final fundraising, membership deadlines

Eby pitches 'pivot' from oil pipeline to refinery talks after Maduro capture

British Columbia Premier David Eby said Canada needs to "pivot" from talk of a potential new pipeline carrying oil bound for Asia and instead think about building a new refinery.

Eby pitches 'pivot' from oil pipeline to refinery talks after Maduro capture

Commander says RCAF is on a 'path of growth' in 2026

The head of the Royal Canadian Air Force has only been in the job for half a year — but it's been an eventful period as the force has worked to rapidly overhaul its fleets and turn a corner on persistent personnel shortages.