(Reuters) – Austria plans to buy 12 Italian-made M-346 FA fighter jets to replace Saab 105 planes which it decommissioned at the end of 2020, Krone newspaper reported on Saturday.
Citing military sources, the paper said a letter of intent was due to be signed on Saturday with the Italian Defence Ministry for the planes made by Italy’s Leonardo.
The Austrian Defence Ministry did not immediately reply to requests for comment on the report. Austrian news agency APA said the ministry had confirmed the planned purchase.
The total cost of the purchase has yet to be determined, but about 1 billion euros ($1.04 billion) has been budgeted for it, the paper said. Austrian media this summer reported the neutral country was gearing up to acquire the M-346 FA jets.
The jets will be used for pilot training, support for ground forces and air defence, the newspaper said.
($1 = 0.9590 euros)
(Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Alison Williams)
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