Andy Nativi/GENOA
The Italian air force is going ahead with a plan to introduce an interim fighter to bridge the gap between current aircraft and Eurofighter achieving operational status.
A request for proposals has been issued and the air force is keen to complete a selection by the end of September, allowing a contract signature by year-end. The Italian's are keen to get the fighter operational soon, replacing the elderly Lockheed F-104s and possibly the Panavia F-3 Tornados leased from the UK Royal Air Force.
The air force is concerned that it will take 10 years before it can field a number of fully operational Eurofighter squadrons. Italy's air staff is seeking a credible gap-filler to enter service as soon as possible.
The scheme envisages a turnkey leasing package with 24 aircraft available daily to operate from between four and six bases. The air force will specify the number of flying hours every year. First line maintenance will be the air force's responsibility, the remainder will be outsourced to the lessor. Around 40-60 airframes are likely to be leased, either over four years with a four year option or five years with a five year option. Fewer fighters may be required when the options are taken up as the Eurofighter would be entering service.
The programme's roots lie in Italy's operational and technical evaluation of last year's Operation Allied Force against Yugoslavia, where it was found the F-104s were no longer suitable for air defence duties against even medium level threats. The recent ASAM upgrade by Italy addressed safety and maintainability issues but not operational capabilities.
The Tornados leased from the UK are more capable but there are only 24 in-service with two squadrons at Gioia del Colle and the fighter's availability rate is not seen as satisfactory.
Financing the deal remains an obstacle as there is no extra money available to pay for the programme. Despite this, the air force is confident it can squeeze funding from its budget. It expects to achieve cost reductions by eliminating the Star fighter support and training infrastructure.
The leading competitor is considered to be the Lockheed Martin F-16ADF Block 15, a specialised air defence variant equipped with the Raytheon AIM-120 AMRAAM medium range-air-to-air missile. Italy has the option of including a mid-life upgrade programme in the lease, but it is unlikely to pursue this because of the cost.
European industry is pushing for an Italian air force commitment to a European product, to block an F-16 acquisition. France is expected to offer the Dassault Mirage 2000, a development likely to be welcomed by the manufacturer as there are no spare French air force aircraft and a lease to Italy would require Paris to accelerate Rafale deliveries to replace them. The UK can offer additional Tornado F3s.
Source: Flight International
