Fighter aircraft’ role in crisis management operations: Italy’s trends and needs

The study examines in primis the use of fighter aircraft by Italian Armed Forces in crisis management operations since 1991. Later, possible scenarios for the use of air power in the near future will be analyzed. Following this twofold analysis, military capabilities to be required and planned by Italy for the next two decades will be evaluated. In this context, the F-35 procurement programme will be discussed from a military and industrial perspective, by also considering its role as “enabler” for the Italian participation in international missions. The results of this study have been delivered to the costumer, published in Quaderni IAI 10 and presented at a conference in Rome on 13 May 2014.

Sponsor: Lockheed Martin