ANDY NATIVI / GENOA
But defence minister has questioned Rome's requirement for the tactical transport
Italy is facing growing pressure to sign up for the pan-European Airbus Military Company A400M transport from the countries that have already committed to the programme.
Belgium, France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding at the Paris air show in June committing to A400M development. Italy's defence minister Antonio Martino declined to sign, saying he had only been sworn in days before the air show. In August, however, he queried Italy's requirement for the transport.
Italy resisted pressure from its potential partners during a two day meeting in Frankfurt last month, which was aimed at securing Rome's commitment to its 16 aircraft order. The issue has been postponed until a meeting set for the end of next month in Brussels.
According to sources in Rome, the A400M partners argue that the project is at risk without an Italian commitment. The Italians have responded saying that the other nations have passed no comment about Germany's signing up for 73 transports but funding only 50.
The sources add that it has been suggested that once the A400M has been delivered, Italy should sell some of the 22 Lockheed MartinC-130JHercules it has ordered. The country is faced with a surplus of transport capacity in the early years of the next decade as it is also due to take new Alenia/Lockheed Martin C-27Js and Boeing 767 tanker-transports as well as the A400Ms.
The Italian air force is not convinced that it requires the A400M, which will cost it L2,850 billion ($1.35 billion) but will hand Italian industry a 7.5% share of the programme.
The air force - which says it is happy with its C-130Js - has stated that it has no requirement for the aircraft, nor does it have the money or pilots to operate the aircraft.
Martino is reviewing the A400M and will weigh operational and economic considerations against the industrial and political view before making a decision.
The Italian Government is to provide more funding to address additional requirements after the US terrorist attacks. The defence ministry will receive L2,000 billion, pushing up its budget - which includes the Carabinieri paramilitary force - to L29,000 billion.
Aermacchi is to deliver a second batch of 15 MB339CDs advanced trainers to the air force in 2003. The contract calls for Aermacchi to take back 12-15 of the air force's MB339As.Remaining MB339s will receive a mid-life update.Source: Flight International
