Air strikes in Saudi Arabia: Crosetto says an Italian Eurofighter was hit

The cross-fire between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis has come to affect Italian military personnel and vehicles involved in Operation Inherent Resolve. ‘Last night, I personally monitored, with the utmost attention and in close contact with the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the developments in the situation in Saudi Arabia, and in particular Ta’if airbase, which has been the target of several attacks and where Italian personnel are stationed as part of Operation Inherent Resolve. No Italian military personnel were involved. An Italian F-2000 aircraft, which was located within the base in a remote area, was hit in the attack. There is no other damage to vehicles or infrastructure used by our personnel.” So said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.

“In a few minutes,” he added, “I will receive the first update during a meeting at the Ministry of Defence. The situation is being monitored with the utmost attention, with the aim of ensuring the full protection of our personnel and acting with the necessary sense of responsibility.”

From the second half of March 2026, following the crisis in the Gulf region and a request for support from partner countries, the Italian Ministry of Defence deployed an Italian Air Force contingent to support the armed forces and security forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain. And it was precisely that single aircraft, the F-2000, that was hit.

The Air – Arabia Task Force contributes to the surveillance and defence of airspace, as well as to the protection of national forces and interests in the area. The national contingent consists of around 300 military personnel from the Italian Air Force, deployed in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Commanded by Colonel Simone Agostino Rocca, it includes the Argo Task Group. This is equipped with an E-550A CAEW aircraft, a multi-sensor system for early warning, aerial surveillance and command, control and communication functions. This capability enables the detection, identification and tracking of potential aerial threats, providing decision-makers and other deployed assets with an up-to-date picture of the area of operations. Then there is the Typhoon Task Group, comprising four Eurofighter F-2000A aircraft, deployed to contribute to the defence of the assigned airspace. It also includes Task Group Medal, equipped with C-130J/KC-130J transport aircraft, deployed for tactical transport missions and to support operational activities in the main theatres of national interest in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, as well as for any medical evacuation requirements. The final component is Task Group Kuwait, which provides specialist technical support to the aircraft of the Kuwait Air Force.

The Ta’if Air Base (officially known as King Fahd Air Base) is a military facility belonging to the Royal Saudi Air Force (the Saudi Arabian air force). It also regularly hosts international assets and contingents, including, notably, the personnel and aircraft (Eurofighter F-2000s) of the Italian Air Task Force engaged in air defence and surveillance operations in the area.