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

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

Danielle Smith has become the second Alberta premier – and the first in almost 90 years – to face a citizen-led petition drive to get her removed from her seat in the legislature.

Danielle Smith becomes first Alberta premier in 90 years to face citizen recall

House of Commons set to rise for six-week holiday break

The House of Commons could rise as early as Thursday for the winter break — without the Liberals passing their lengthy budget implementation bill.

House of Commons set to rise for six-week holiday break

Fact File: Posts falsely claim Canada revoked China's equal trade status

Chinese language posts that appeared on social media the past few weeks claimed Canada was one of 32 countries to revoke China's "most favoured nation" trade status on Dec. 1.

Fact File: Posts falsely claim Canada revoked China's equal trade status

Vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to police, study says

A new analysis by Quebec's statistics institute has concluded that the vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to the police.

Vast majority of victims don't report intimate partner violence to police, study says

CRA aiming to hire 1,700 call centre staff ahead of busy tax season

The Canada Revenue Agency is looking to hire or rehire about 1,700 call centre workers over the next few months to manage an influx of calls during the upcoming tax season.

CRA aiming to hire 1,700 call centre staff ahead of busy tax season

B.C. evacuation orders, alerts expand as floods cut off most links to Lower Mainland

Evacuation orders and alerts in southern British Columbia expanded overnight, as floodwaters and landslides cut off most major routes between the Lower Mainland and the Interior.