National

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

Two Canadians and previous winner Kiran Desai on the Booker Prize long list

“The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” the 677-page tale of two young Indians making their way in the United States, is one of 13 books announced Tuesday as semifinalists for the prestigious 50,000-pound ($67,000) prize. The contenders include authors from nine countries on four continents.

Two Canadians and previous winner Kiran Desai on the Booker Prize long list

Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., larger than initial estimate after aerial mapping

The service's latest update on the Cantilever Bar wildfire says it is now measured at 4.6 square kilometres, up from the 1.5 square kilometres reported earlier this week.

Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., larger than initial estimate after aerial mapping

'Don't see it coming:' minister pushes for preparedness after B.C. tsunami scare

But the province's emergency management minister says it's a reminder that B.C. has to always be prepared for the possibility of a quake closer to home.

'Don't see it coming:' minister pushes for preparedness after B.C. tsunami scare

Tax data suggests lethal Canadian arms still being exported to Israel

"Canadian military products are deeply embedded in Israel's military infrastructure, despite our government's attempts to placate us," said Rachel Small of the group World Beyond War.

Tax data suggests lethal Canadian arms still being exported to Israel

B.C. sea cucumber poacher gets six-year sentence for 'ravaging the ocean'

Scott Steer and his co-accused corporation faced eight charges including fishing in a closed area without a licence, selling more than $1 million worth of illegally harvested sea cucumbers and breaching an earlier order forbidding him from possessing fishing vessels.

B.C. sea cucumber poacher gets six-year sentence for 'ravaging the ocean'

West Kelowna, B.C., has safety, security concerns ahead of MAGA singer's show

Sean Feucht is due to play at the Memorial Park Amphitheatre in West Kelowna on Aug. 23, but the city says in a statement that it is reviewing safety and security plans connected to the private booking.