The first M-346 for Frecce Tricolori was seen on 17th October 2026. The future of Italy’s National Aerobatic Team is taking shape at Leonardo’s facility in Venegono Superiore.
A new chapter in Italian military aviation has begun. The first Leonardo M-346 destined for Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s renowned National Aerobatic Team, has emerged from the production line at Venegono Superiore, marking a significant milestone in the transition towards a new generation of display aircraft.
The first aircraft: a milestone at Venegono
The roll-out of the first M-346 destined for Frecce Tricolori, held at Leonardo’s facility in Venegono Superiore on 17 October 2026, marks a tangible step towards the introduction of the new aircraft.
While the 2024 presentation introduced the public to the future look of the team, this latest milestone brings the programme closer to its practical implementation.
The transition will require preparation, technical work and the development of the procedures necessary to integrate the new aircraft into the team’s demanding aerobatic environment. Formation flying and synchronised manoeuvres require exceptional precision, rigorous training and close cooperation between pilots and ground personnel.
The M-346 must therefore become more than a capable aircraft: it must become a fully integrated part of the team, capable of carrying forward the standards that have defined the Frecce Tricolori for generations.
From the MB-339 to the M-346
Since 1982, the Aermacchi MB-339PAN has been the aircraft associated with the Frecce Tricolori’s distinctive performances. Over more than four decades, the jet has become an enduring symbol of Italian aviation, thrilling audiences around the world with its agility, unmistakable sound and spectacular aerobatic manoeuvres.
Replacing such an iconic aircraft is no small undertaking. The M-346, however, offers a modern platform designed around the requirements of advanced military pilot training, bringing contemporary technology and performance capabilities to the team’s future operations.
Designed and manufactured by Leonardo in Italy, the M-346 is already in service with the Italian Air Force as the T-346A, training pilots destined for modern fourth- and fifth-generation combat aircraft.
Its selection for the Frecce Tricolori builds on this established experience while opening a new chapter for the aircraft and the team.
A distinctive Italian design
The M-346’s new identity was unveiled at Istrana Air Base on 12 September 2024, when the Italian Air Force presented the aircraft’s special livery following the Frecce Tricolori’s return from their North American tour (Read at this Link).
Designed by Pininfarina, the livery reinterprets the Italian tricolour through flowing lines and dynamic shapes intended to convey movement, speed and elegance.
The design also reflects the team’s enduring role as an ambassador for Italian engineering, creativity and craftsmanship. The aircraft’s appearance is not simply decorative: it is intended to remain visually distinctive as the jets manoeuvre through the sky, individually and in formation.
The result brings together two defining elements of Italian excellence: Leonardo’s aerospace expertise and Pininfarina’s design heritage.
Link at Leonardo page of M-346 for Frecce Tricolori.