Italy Plans to Cut Budget Purchase F-35 "Lightning 2

The Italian Government has embarked on another phase of the reduction in defense spending. This time will be seriously revised procurement program multipurpose fighter of the fifth generation F-35 "Lightning 2".

According to "Aviation Week," at least a third of the 131 planned to purchase the F-35 will fall under the cut. However, some parties with a minority in the Parliament of Italy, in favor of a complete collapse of the program.

Italy is one of the largest international customer of F-35 after the United Kingdom, which also plans to reduce the amount of the purchase of these aircraft. Italy planned to spend 13 billion euros (16.7 billion dollars) to buy and maintain two versions of the fighter: 109 F-35A conventional takeoff and a landing, and 22 F-35B short takeoff and a vertical landing.


In 2008, Italy has already adjusted its participation in the led "Lockheed Martin" development program for the F-35. Rome announced that he would not participate in the stage of initial operational test and evaluation of IOT & E (Initial Operational Test and Evaluation) of the F-35. Accordingly, Italy refused to purchase the first prototype of the F-35 from the number produced in the third installment (Lot 3) phase of small-scale production. Purchase of previously planned second F-35 in the fourth installment (Lot 4) was also abolished.

Italy joined the development and demonstration of the F-35 with a status of second-tier partner June 24, 2002, investing $ 1 billion project. The new aircraft to replace the fighters in service with AMX, AV-8B «Harrier" and part of the park "Tornado".