North Bay to host six new aircraft for training NATO fighter jet pilots

The International Test Pilots School of Canada has ordered six Italian-made M-346 fighter jets for a new NATO training centre in North Bay, boosting local jobs.

As Canada boosts its defence spending, ITPS Canada has ordered six new jet trainers that will be stationed at the company’s International Tactical Training Centre base in North Bay.

“The aircraft will support expansion of NATO and allied tactical fighter pilot training,” ITPS Canada said in a news release this week.

“The contract includes six M-346 T Block 20 aircraft -- with options for an additional six units -- which are expected to enter service starting in 2029.”

The plans will be built by Leonardo, an Italian company that provides jet aircraft to train fighter jet pilots for NATO and others.

Giorgio Clementi, ITPS executive chairman, signed the contract for six M-346 T Block 20 lead-in jet trainers at a signing ceremony at Venegono in Italy, which also included a final evaluation flight of the aircraft.

“The M346 continues Italy’s illustrious track record of producing world-leading jet trainer aircraft,” Clementi said in the news release.

“The new trainers are expected to enter service … starting in 2029, providing a major contribution to the first capability enhancement project of the ITTC fleet, currently active in providing training to several international customers and to meet advanced tactical training service demand from in excess of 10 different air forces globally.”

Airborne evaluation

In October 2025, ITPS CEO Dave Lohse conducted an airborne evaluation of the Leonardo M-346 advanced jet trainer in the airspace north of Ottawa International Airport.

“The M-346 is an exceptionally capable advanced jet trainer that aligns closely with the operational requirements of modern fighter pilot training,” Lohse said in the release.

“The aircraft’s performance, digital flight control system, and advanced training architecture make it an ideal platform to support the next phase of growth for the international tactical training centre.”

The training centre will move from London to North Bay as part of the plan.

“As allied air forces look to expand training capacity and interoperability, the M-346 will help enable ITTC to welcome pilots from Canada and partner nations to train together in a modern and operationally focused environment,” he added.

In an interview May 27, Lohse told CTV News that the Gateway City was a “natural fit” for the project.

“It aligns very closely with our mission in Canada, which is to enhance global security through innovative aerospace solutions,” he said.

“We talk about it being a fifth-generation fighter pilot training pipeline. So, the graduates from our lead-in fighter training courses will then go on to a frontline fighter, be it F-35, F-16 or F-18.”

The company said that the M-346 is “the core element of a cutting-edge and continuously evolving advanced flight-training system that has already demonstrated its effectiveness.”

The aircraft has logged more than 160,000 hours in flight with more than 160 aircraft sold to date to air forces in Europe and worldwide to train pilots for flying such aircraft as the Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35 and next-generation combat air systems.

Twenty countries – including Canada - already train their pilots on the M-346 or have selected the aircraft, in the multirole light fighter version.

Nipissing-Timiskaming MP Pauline Rochefort welcomed the news.

“Excellent news for North Bay,” Rochefort said on social media.

“The aircraft will be based at the International Tactical Training Centre in North Bay … and are slated to enter service starting in 2029 to expand NATO and allied pilot training.”

“As demand for advanced military pilot training continues to grow among NATO and allied air forces, ITPS Canada is expanding its training capacity,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli.

“This investment will enable ITPS Canada’s ability to train more fighter pilots from its North Bay facility and support the rapidly evolving needs of our air force.”

North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico also welcomed the news.

“Their acquisition of these jets for training pilots, both internal and external, is going to be great,” Chirico said.

“We love the fact that they’ve chosen North Bay.”

ITPS Canada is a Canadian corporation providing advanced military tactical training and flight test training as well as engineering, maintenance repair and overhaul services.

Consisting of three divisions, including the international test pilot school in London, and the tactical training centre in North Bay, it is the biggest independent provider of experimental flight test training in the world.

It employs more than 200 staff at facilities in London, Ont., and North Bay.