The International Flight Training School (IFTS) is the result of a strategic partnership between Leonardo and the Italian Air Force, aimed at the establishment of an advanced flight training centre for military pilots from the world's air forces.

The Academy, located at Italian Air Force base in Decimomannu (Cagliari), relies on an international team of instructor pilots and technical staff, who train students on phase 4 "Lead-In to Fighter Training - LIFT", the most advanced part of training syllabus, that prepares the way for subsequent deployment on fighter aircraft.

Based on the M-346 Integrated Training System, the IFTS programme has already been chosen by Qatar, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Austria, Canada, UK and Saudi Arabia.

The industrial partnership between Leonardo and CAE in the form of the joint venture “Leonardo CAE Advanced Jet Training”, provides the maintenance and support services of the M-346 Integrated Training System, based on a fleet of M-346 advanced jet trainers, integrated on-board technology to simulate tactical training – the Embedded Tactical Training System (ETTS) – allowing the aircraft to emulate sensors, weapons and Computer Generated Forces (CGF). It enables pilots to interact in real-time, through Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) mode and also through the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), which consists of various flight and mission simulation systems, multi-media and classroom courses, mission planning and training management systems, and an integrated logistic support (ILS), a service that optimises fleet and simulator management for maximum operational use.