But spending increase too small to cover several planned equipment purchases
Aerospace projects have received a funding allocation of around €1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) as part of Italy's defence procurement budget for 2005, announced last week, of about €3 billion.
Multinational programmes to receive continued support include the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, plus the EH101 and NH90 utility helicopter projects.
One-third of the air force's €1.3 billion procurement allocation will be absorbed by the Eurofighter project, with planned spending to total €450 million. Italy hopes to soon approve a Tranche 2 contract for the aircraft with its programme partners Germany, Spain and the UK. The Italian air force's Panavia Tornado mid-life upgrade will receive over c220 million, while €150 million is allocated to the ongoing purchase of four Boeing 767 tankers and €50 million to its Lockheed Martin C-130J purchase.
Upgrades for the air force's Alenia/Aermacchi/Embraer AMX strike aircraft and Agusta-Sikorsky HH-3F utility helicopters receive continued funding. Funds have also been provided for air-launched weapons projects, including the IRIS-T, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Meteor and Storm Shadow. The procurement of precision-guided kits has also been funded.
The Italian navy's Boeing AV-8B Harrier II short take-off and vertical landing aircraft will also receive continued upgrade funds, as will the service's Atlantic maritime patrol fleet. The army's ongoing programme to modernise 45 Agusta A129 attack helicopters has also received continued support.
While Italy's 2005 defence procurement budget represents a 6.5%increase over 2004's allocation, it is insufficient for the country to invest in several new equipment purchases. Plans for four airborne early-warning aircraft have been put on hold, along with investment in the USNavy's Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft and new electronic-intelligence assets.
Programmes to improve the A129's targeting system and to modernise the army's Agusta-Bell AB212 utility helicopters have also been discontinued.
PINO MODOLA / GENOA
Source: Flight International
