Italy to order 25 additional F-35 fighters for its fleet

The Defense News publication, citing budget documents, noted that Italy plans to order 25 more F-35 fighters and spend €7 billion on them.

Here's What We Know

A possible contract for this amount will include 15 F-35As and 10 F-35Bs. In this case, the Italian F-35 fleet will reach 115 aircraft.

The 15 new F-35As will be operated by the Italian Air Force, and ten F-35Bs will be distributed between the Italian Air Force and Navy, a defence source told Defence News.

Italy planned to order 131 F-35s in 2009, but then reduced its order to 90 aircraft. The document states that 131 aircraft are still needed by Italy, but adds that "the increase will improve Italy's geopolitical position".

It is worth noting that the European country has also allocated €50 million, according to budget documents, to adapt the new INS Trieste multi-purpose amphibious helicopter carrier to accommodate the F-35B.

In addition, another €506 million was allocated in 2024 for the development of a sixth-generation fighter jet as part of the Global Combat Air Programme. This is a new generation fighter programme involving Italy, the UK and Japan.

The document also states that Italy will purchase 24 new Eurofighter Typhoons. These fighters will be purchased to replace the first series of Tranche 1 aircraft, which will be decommissioned by 2029.

Source: Defence News