Italy will seek to acquire an additional 25 F-35 fighters to bring its fleet to 115 operational fifth-generation combat aircrafts for its Armed Forces.
The Multiannual Program Document (DDP – Documento Programmatico Pluriennale) 2023-2025 initially foresaw three phases of F-35 fighter acquisition (Phase 1, 2a and 2b). Due to the changing geopolitical scenario and potential operational implications, a fourth phase (Phase 3) has been added:
- Phase 1: Procurement of the first 28 aircraft, engines, equipment and logistics support through 2022.
- Phase 2a and 2b: Acquisition of 62 additional aircraft, expanding the Italian fleet to 90 aircraft.
- Phase 3: Acquisition of 25 additional aircraft, bringing the total fleet to 115 aircraft.
According to the DPP recently published by the Italian Ministry of Defense, the acquisition of the new 25 aircraft would have an estimated cost of €7 billion, which also contemplates engines, equipment, periodic upgrades and logistical support until approximately 2035. Fifteen F-35A fighters will be ordered for the Aeronautica Militare and 10 F-15B for the Marina Militare, which will operate from the Trieste aircraft carrier.
“Although this number (115 aircraft) is still below the initial target of 131 aircrafts, authorized by Parliament in 2009, which still corresponds to the operational needs of the Armed Forces, the increase will improve Italy’s geopolitical positioning in the European security context,” the Italian Ministry of Defense publication states.
Economic benefits of F-35 program
The DDP also highlights the positive economic impact for Italy of its participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
The program generated significant economic and industrial benefits for Italy, with an investment of more than €4.7 billion and the creation of jobs in the defense sector. The maturity reached by the Cameri plant, as the F-35 production center in Europe, projects additional economic benefits, as it became a reference point for F-35 fleets in the European region and for other allied countries.
