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

Manitoba to close wildfire evacuation centres as some communities return home

As more communities return home, the province is looking to decommission congregate shelters that were set up to accommodate the more than 22,000 people displaced during the latest set of wildfires.

Manitoba to close wildfire evacuation centres as some communities return home

Canada facilitating commercial flights home for citizens fleeing Israel, Iran: Anand

With airports closed across the region, Ottawa has stationed consular officials on the other side of certain crossings on the Israeli and Iranian borders to help those fleeing either country to get home.

Canada facilitating commercial flights home for citizens fleeing Israel, Iran: Anand

Carney says it's 'foundational' to have diplomatic ties with India

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service identified India as one of the main drivers of foreign interference in its annual report that was released publicly on Wednesday.

Carney says it's 'foundational' to have diplomatic ties with India

Regina man was aboard Air India flight that crashed after takeoff, friend says

A Regina father is believed to have been killed on an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff last week, a family friend says.

Regina man was aboard Air India flight that crashed after takeoff, friend says

Eby to ask PM to declare India's Bishnoi gang a terrorist group, amid extortion fears

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he wants a gang based in India declared a terrorist organization in Canada.

Eby to ask PM to declare India's Bishnoi gang a terrorist group, amid extortion fears

Canada, India reach diplomatic truce as Carney, Modi meet at G7

Prime Minister Mark Carney said his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Alberta on Tuesday was a "necessary" step toward rebuilding the relationship between the two countries.