Leonardo already plays a key role in the protection of Qatar, with its technologies used in country for almost 25 years. Leonardo has a substantial presence in Qatar through its representative office and a branch in Doha. Its cross-domain technological solutions are supporting Qatari Institutions in the protection of people and homeland, also thanks to the company’s participation in the MBDA, Eurofighter and NHI consortia. Today, Qatari Emiri Air Force (QEAF) pilots are flying Leonardo’s T-346A advanced jet trainers at the Italy-based training school called IFTS (International Flight Training School) which combines the Italian Air Force (ItAF)’s world-renowned experience in flight training and Leonardo’s leadership in integrated training solutions.

QEAF pilots have recently embarked on the final stage of their advanced/lead-in fighter training at the International Flight Training School (IFTS), which capitalizes on the modular and versatile ItAF Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) syllabus, based on the innovative T-346A Integrated Training System (ITS). IFTS it is currently located at Galatina Air Base in Italy where the high-performance aircraft T-346A, as well as a fully integrated and interconnected Ground Based Training System (GBTS), including two Full Mission Simulators (FMS), are in operation using state-of-the-art Live Virtual Constructive (LVC) technology. The Phase IV syllabus implemented in IFTS has been specifically designed to improve teaching effectiveness during the LIFT phases of training. The IFTS syllabus enables the download of training from the OCU saving time and valuable resources and includes, in addition to the qualification and basic training, the following modules: Air to Air, Advanced Air to Air, Air to Ground, Live Range, Air to Air Refueling, Night NVG. With the outstanding T-346A performance, advanced avionics, and full suite of embedded simulation, the Phase IV syllabus used by IFTS brings the pilots to a level of airmanship and skills not achievable with any other training system. Meanwhile, in May the IFTS awarded the first Phase IV (Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training) diploma to the first two pilots, coming from the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), who underwent training activity that took place over a course of nine months at the Galatina airport.