Italy Announced Plans to Sharply Reduce the Cost of the Armed Forces

Italian Ministry of Defense will reduce the number of acquired multi-fifth-generation fighter F-35 "Lightning 2" from 131 to 90 units. On February 15, said Italian Minister of Defense Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, speaking in parliament.

Some observers have questioned the advisability of purchasing 90 aircraft, which according to initial plans, to be divided between the Air Force (F-35A) and Navy (F-35B) in Italy.

Navy originally intended to purchase 32 F-35B to equip two aircraft carriers. Reducing the order will equip only one aircraft carrier. Purchase of 58 fighters, taking into account the need to organize pilot training the Air Force will form only one wing. In addition, the rising cost of the F-35 could lead to further reduction in the number of aircraft purchased by Sun in Italy.

Despite plans to reduce purchases, purchase of F-35 remains an important program for the Sun of Italy, because it must replace several types of obsolete aircraft, including "Tornado», AMX and AV-8. It should also be noted that Italy has already invested in the F-35 program of 2.5 billion euros (3.29 billion dollars).

The reduction in total orders for 41 aircraft is part of a global program to reduce the cost of the Armed Forces of Italy, caused a 28% reduction in defense spending in 2012.

Speaking at a joint hearing on the defense committees of the two Chambers of Parliament of the Italian Minister said that Italy would also be forced to reduce the number of tanks, helicopters and artillery weapons. Two teams will be disbanded the country's North.

The number of ships in the Navy also reduced. In particular, we plan to cancel 8 of 18 patrol boats and two of the six submarines. Without going into details, and J. Di Paola said that the number of fighter aircraft, the armament, will also be reduced.

There will also be disbanded several military bases, and the number of Sun Italy fall from 183 to 150 thousand people. The number of civil servants will be reduced from 30 to 20 thousand data reduction of personnel will be made in stages over 10 years, partly by limiting admission to military service and the transfer of units of the other power structures. Cuts will affect mostly high and senior officers. Will be reduced by the number of generals and admirals.