The Federal Army continues to arm itself and the purchase of new fighter jets is now becoming more concrete. Because, as the “Krone” learned, Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) has instructed the General Staff to examine ONE offer. And this comes from Italy…
After the Saab 105 jets had to be retired due to age, Defense Secretary Tanner ordered the purchase of new jet trainers, which would be tested in 2022. In addition to training tasks, they must also be able to perform airspace surveillance and air defense tasks and therefore be armed.
Favorite from Italy
The favorite to purchase a completely new, second jet fleet comes from Italy.
The M346 of the Italian manufacturer Leonardo is equipped with radar in a “FA” version and is also optimized for air-to-ground combat. The relationship with Leonardo is currently excellent; it will not be until 2022 that the Italians will acquire a new batch of AW-169 multi-purpose helicopters.
Purchase as a joint project
The Italian Ministry of Defence has now sent a letter stating that the aircraft could be purchased as part of a joint procurement collaboration, similar to a government-to-government tender.
The Minister therefore instructed the General Directorate of the Presidium to legally examine the specific requirements for joint procurement cooperation and instructed the General Staff to start talks with Italy if all requirements were met. An accompanying audit of the award was also ordered to ensure all compliance regulations.
Federal Minister Tanner: “I would like to thank my colleague, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, for this offer of further cooperation and promise a swift review. In the last years of my term, joint procurement partnerships have proven to be an excellent, transparent and seamless tool for the procurement of defence equipment; we have seen this in the context of the procurement of the Leonardo AW-169 helicopters and the Embraer C-390 transport aircraft. Such procurement only works on the basis of the closest trust.”
Jets return to Linz
According to those responsible for the military, the only possible location for the new subsonic fighter jets is Linz-Hörsching: from a purely political point of view, it would hardly be possible due to the noise to handle the entire jet operations of the Federal Army in Zeltweg, where the Eurofighters already fly daily from the Murtal to start their training and surveillance flights.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
