The structural design already includes nine hard-points, and also has provisions to install and integrate special equipment. The speed, ability to climb quickly and extreme manoeuvrability make the M-346 a highly survivable aircraft in comparison to traditional turboprop light attack aircraft.

The low maintenance man-hours per flying hour and the efficiencies offered by a trainer-based design make the M-346 a very cost effective option.

The Italian Air Force signed in November 2009 the contract about the first batch of the M-346 trainers and related flight simulators, to fulfil the advanced/lead-in fighter training requirements for pilots that will fly 4th and 5th generation combat aircraft. At the end of September 2010 Alenia Aermacchi signed the first international contract with the Republic of Singapore within the Fighter Wings Course (FWC) Program, which is aimed to replace the current fleet of advanced trainers. The consortium, comprising ST Aerospace (prime contractor) and Boeing, awarded the supplying of 12 M-346 aircraft and the ground base training system. The delivery of the first aircraft is expected in 2012.

In February 2009 the M-346 was also selected by the United Arab Emirates for their new trainer requirement. The M-346 is the type which best answers the Eurotraining requirements.

Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica Company controlled by Alenia Aeronautica, is the world leader in the design, production and support of military training aircraft and solutions with a century-long tradition of innovation. Today its autonomous aircraft design and development experience leverages the resources and technologies of Finmeccanica, the world-class Italian technology group, to offer complete solutions and leading-edge proprietary types like the M-346 Lead-In Fighter Trainer.

Alenia Aermacchi is a leader, dynamic and motivated company, with a full design and development capability in its core training aircraft business. The product range covers the entire spectrum from initial screening to lead-in fighter training, and extends into total training systems.