USAF to Train Fighter Pilots in Italy for the First Time
Ten USAF students will train on the T-346A in Sardinia under a new Italy-U.S. agreement
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The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has signed an unprecedented agreement with the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) to train its future fighter pilots at the International Flight Training School (IFTS), located at Decimomannu Air Base, on the island of Sardinia. This marks the first time in history that the USAF will conduct pilot training at a foreign institution.
The agreement, titled "Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for Flight Training of the USAF Military Personnel in Italy", was signed on August 22, 2025, by General Antonio Conserva, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, and Lieutenant General Brian S. Robinson, Commander of the USAF Air Education & Training Command.
The initiative will see an initial group of 10 U.S. students arrive at Decimomannu to undergo a nine-month training program on the T-346A Integrated Training System (Leonardo’s M-346 Master). The course was jointly designed by both air forces and is based on a Multiphase Jet Training Integrated Syllabus, tailored to U.S. operational requirements.
An International Training Model
The USAF’s decision reflects the growing international profile of the IFTS, the result of a strategic partnership between Leonardo and the Aeronautica Militare, aimed at establishing a global hub for advanced fighter pilot training.
In addition to the U.S., the IFTS has already been chosen by allied air forces such as Qatar, Germany, and Japan, whose pilots have either completed or are currently undergoing Phase IV (Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training) in Italy. In 2022, for instance, six Qatari pilots graduated after completing their training cycle in Galatina. The newly expanded campus in Decimomannu now serves as the center for the program’s most advanced phases.
In less than five years, the IFTS has evolved from a national initiative into one of NATO’s leading military flight training centers.
Looking ahead, U.S. participation could increase in scope and complexity, depending on the outcome of this initial phase. It is also possible that USAF instructors may join the IFTS faculty in the future, following a model already considered for Japan’s JASDF.
T-346A: A Platform Aligned with the USAF's Future
One of the key factors behind the U.S. decision was the T-346A training system, a high-fidelity platform that closely mirrors the T-7A Red Hawk, the future advanced jet trainer of the USAF. The Italian system, with its modular and progressive syllabus, is designed to prepare pilots for next-generation platforms such as the F-35, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Gripen.
The Decimomannu campus can accommodate both technical staff and students, and includes full logistical support, maintenance facilities, next-generation simulators (GBTS), and a fleet of 22 T-346A aircraft. In this environment, future U.S. pilots will be able to train in realistic modern combat scenarios, both in the air and in simulators, maximizing operational value while reducing costs.
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