Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1236 posts, RR: 9 Posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 2018 times:
Hello guys,
I have read in Italian newspapers that in the Laeken Summit of the EU, Italy hasn't signed the agreement to start production of the A400M, the new airlifter that Airbus is going to produce for several European Air Forces.
Last year Italy had committed for 16 examples but the high cost (2 billions of Euros) and the fact that the Italian Air Force has already ordered 12 C-27J, 22 C-130J and 4 B767TT for its airlift needs, caused the Govt. to block the bid, leaving a door open for a future order.
I think this is a good move as we need that money for other more urgent acquisition programmes like an AEW&C platform, a new MPA, MLU for AMX and Tornado and possibly the participation in the F-35 production and acquisition.
Moreover tha A400M will be available around 2011/2014 which is really too late and I hope we will follow the street traced by the RAF with the lease of a small number of C-17 Globemaster III, without doubt superior to the A400M.
Soren-a From Denmark, joined Sep 2001, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1906 times:
Well given the number of transport planes that the Italian air force have (or has on order) Im not suprised that they are pulling out of the A400M program. As you said Steman there are other areas of the Italian air force where the money could be spend better.
Does anyone know what happend to the idea that Italy would lease some F-16 from USA as a stop-gab to fill out the period between the Tornado ADV and the Eurofighter? I cant remember hearing any final conformation on wheter or not they are going to lease any.
Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1236 posts, RR: 9 Reply 2, posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1905 times:
the deal has been signed few months ago, I can't remember the exact date.
The first of 34 F-16A-15ADF and 4 F-16B-15ADF plus 4 for spares will arrive in the first half of 2003.
After 09/11, somebody said that Italy might have pushed for accelerating the delivery but i think it's a technical matter. Those fighter must undergo a big upgrade programme including an enhancement of their engines.
By the way, there will be a period in which the Italian Air Force will have 4 different kind of air defence fighter in service: F-104S/ASA-M, Tornado ADV, F-16A-15ADF and EF-2000A Typhoon.
Amazing
Soren-a From Denmark, joined Sep 2001, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 5, posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1892 times:
I think it is too late for any of the four nations involved in the EF-2000 to drop out. No that they couldn't do it if they wanted to, but they have spend billions on this plane sofar and dropping out now so close to the in-service date would mean having spend all the money without getting any of the workshare. Add to that the fact that they would have to spend money on a new fighter would make it a very bad idea.
Steman From Germany, joined Aug 2000, 1236 posts, RR: 9 Reply 7, posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 1893 times:
If I remember well the F-16 will receive a form of update which includes upgrade of the engines to the -129 version (i.e. F100-PW-129 instead of F100-PW-100), structural checks, some sort of avionics upgrade and probably everything is needed to make them compliant with AMI environment (although it's a NATO standard so it won't take a lot).
Weapons will be the AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and AIM-120A Amraam but Italy has still to place an order for the latter, having ordered only a few to equip the Navy AV-8B+.
Anyway a big order is expected soon for the AIM-120 because it will be the first type of AAM for the EF-2000 as well.
Soren-a From Denmark, joined Sep 2001, 235 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (10 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1894 times:
Sounds like an Italian airshow might be worth a visit in a few year, with all the different fighters, transports and helicopters the Italian air force have/will get
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