The Aermacchi M-346 is an Italian two-seat trainer and combat aircraft. Originally developed by the Yakovlev Design Bureau, it was designed to train pilots of modern fighter jets and perform certain combat missions. Development of the aircraft began in the early 1990s as part of a program to create a new training complex to replace the Czechoslovakian L-39ZA, which could no longer adequately prepare pilots for modern aircraft.

In 1993, the Italian company Aermacchi joined the project. However, the collaboration ended in 2000 due to disagreements about the aircraft's future development. Yakovlev continued development, creating the Yak-130. Meanwhile, Aermacchi acquired all available design work and incorporated innovations, equipping the aircraft with electronic systems from NATO countries, different structural materials, and American Honeywell F124 engines instead of Russian engines. The new aircraft made its maiden flight on July 15, 2004, and low rate initial production began in 2008. Initially, the aircraft was designed without any armament; however, in 2015, Aermacchi began developing a combat training variant. On June 18, 2017, a prototype of this aircraft, the M-346FA, was unveiled for the markets of South America and East Asia. The M-346FA features pylons for suspended weapons, a GRIFO 346 radar, an RWR with MAW, electronic upgrades, countermeasures and radar cross-section reduction measures. The first pre-production aircraft made its maiden flight in 2020. Deliveries are planned for Turkmenistan, Austria, and Nigeria.

The M-346FA was introduced to the game in Update 2.57 "Heavy Cavalry". Similar to the Yak-130, it is a responsive and maneuverable aircraft but is extremely vulnerable to enemy attacks due to its low speed. Thanks to its wide range of suspended armament, it performs best as a pure ground attacker.