Italian Air Force unveils new Frecce Tricolori aircraft and livery

The Italian Air Force unveils the M-346PAN aircraft that will be flown by the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team starting in 2028. The aircraft features a new livery that was designed by renowned Italian luxury sports car designer Pininfarina.

The Italian Air Force today unveiled the new aircraft that will take over the legacy of the MB-339PAN, the iconic jet that the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team has been using for over 40 years. It is the M-346 advanced trainer aircraft. This choice represents a strong change of direction compared to the previous plan that foresaw the team receiving the more basic M-345 trainer jet. However, it was later assessed that the M-345 is not suitable for flying in large formations with aircraft very close together. Furthermore, it was believed that the greater thrust and maneuverability of the twin-engine M-346 could allow the team to perform higher quality and more spectacular aerial displays. The M-346 will therefore allow the Frecce Tricolori to continue to best represent Italian excellence in the world.

The M-346, designed and manufactured in Italy by Leonardo SpA, is already in service with the Italian Air Force for advanced pilot training, preparing pilots for 4th and 5th generation fighter jets. The Italian Air Force fleet currently includes 18 of them, but a new order of around 15/20 units is expected soon.

The ceremony also unveiled the team's new livery, designed by Pininfarina, which embraces the theme of the "renaissance of the tricolor". This design emphasizes the beauty and fluidity of the Frecce Tricolori’s flight, celebrating teamwork, dedication, ingenuity, and national pride. The result is a harmonious design, visible in three dimensions, ensuring that during the aircraft's maneuvers, a recognizable graphic element always conveys a sense of speed and dynamism to the audience. It is a perfect blend of elegance and power, traits characteristic of both Pininfarina and the National Aerobatic Team, representing industriousness, creativity, and teamwork—core values of the Italian Air Force.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Source. Images: Italian Air Force