Defence: F-35 fighter jet programme before Parliament; cost rises by 7.3 billion to 20.8 billion

Plan updated for 115 vehicles and assembly at Cameri

(Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - The cost to the state coffers of the programme for the new F-35 fighter jets for the Italian Armed Forces and for the expansion of the industrial site at Cameri, where they are assembled, has risen by 7.3 billion euros. According to the technical reports from the research departments of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, prepared for the relevant committees that will examine the ministerial decree, the programme – which was already authorised in 2029 for an initial €13.5 billion – “envisages a rise in costs due to the necessary revision of safety requirements, increased costs for technological upgrades to the weapon system, and changes in inflation and the euro-dollar exchange rate recorded in recent years”: the total cost rises to 20.84 billion euros.

Compared with the 131 aircraft specified in the initial requirement, the update provides for the purchase of 75 F-35A Conventional Take-Off and Landing aircraft for the Air Force and 40 F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing aircraft, divided equally between the Air Force and the Royal Navy, making a total of 115 aircraft. Alongside the purchase of the aircraft, the programme includes the establishment of a national final assembly and testing line at Cameri.
The programme has a multi-year development plan scheduled to commence in 2027 and conclude in 2039. The current timetable allocates expenditure of 175 million for 2027 and 230 million for 2028. The bulk of the additional expenditure to be authorised is concentrated in the period 2029–2034.

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