{"id":68571,"date":"2024-09-17T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2024\/09\/17\/austria-flaunts-air-power-considers-purchasing-new-trainer-jets\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:08:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:08:23","slug":"austria-flaunts-air-power-considers-purchasing-new-trainer-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2024\/09\/17\/austria-flaunts-air-power-considers-purchasing-new-trainer-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"Austria flaunts air power, considers purchasing new trainer jets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

GRAZ, Austria \u2014 Austria is trying to decide on a successor for its recently retired fleet of jet trainers. A leading contender showed off its aerobatic skills at the Airpower show at the Zeltweg air base this month, reinvigorating speculation on whether Vienna will turn to Czechia or Italy for a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Austria decided in recent years to withdraw its fleet of Saab 105 OE jet trainers \u2014 a variant purpose-built for the country by the Swedish manufacturer \u2014 after five decades in service. A plan for a replacement was not initially announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But in the past year, the tune has changed, with the country\u2019s military leadership suggesting that plans were being prepared to find a successor after all. Last month, Austrian defense minister Klaudia Tanner said she had received an \u201cinteresting\u201d proposal from her Italian counterparts for the joint procurement of the Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\t