F-35, this is what the planes that intercepted Russian jets look like

Two Italian F-35s took off from the Amari base, after the NATO radar systems detected the presence of Russian aircraft in Estonian airspace, for a 'scramble', the order to take off on alert. With the overflight of the Italian F-35s, which took off in 'Qra' (quick reaction alert) mode, the Russian aircraft then took off. The Italian detachment, made up of F-35s of the Italian Air Force, is deployed in Estonia to ensure the surveillance of Baltic airspace as part of NATO's Enhanced Air policing mission on the eastern flank. The Italian fighters are F-35 Lightning IIs. The 'Air Task Force 32nd Wing' stationed at the Amari base in Estonia is on 24/7 Quick Reaction Alert duty. Between Air Policing and Air Shielding, in 2025 Italy will participate with 15 air assets and 375 military personnel.

"From the beginning of August until today with our F35s we have had seven episodes of scrambles, i.e. take-off orders on alert, all for Russian Federation aircraft that did not comply with air navigation rules. The last one was last Friday, when Russian Migs entered Estonian airspace. In the other six previous incidents the aircraft, although not respecting the rules, were instead flying in international waters'. Thus Gaetano Farina, commander of the task force air in the Italian mission Baltc Eagle III at the Estonian base of Amari.

The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter. The Italian Air Force has A versions, with conventional take-off and landing (Conventional Take-Off and Landing, CTOL) and B versions, with short take-off and vertical landing (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing, STOVL) for use both on austere runways and on amphibious assault ships, helicopter carriers and aircraft carriers (LHA/ LHD/CV). Italy is a Tier II industrial partner and has the only final assembly and acceptance line (FACO) in Europe in Cameri. Recently, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced that in Sardinia, at the International Flight Training School at the Decimomannu air base, a few kilometres from Cagliari, American top guns will soon arrive to train, while the other large Italian island, Sicily, will be the first place outside the United States where F-35 pilots will be trained.

Here are some technical data of the two F-35 versions: wingspan: 10.6 metres; length: 15.4 m/15.6 metres; height: 4.6 metres; maximum speed: 1,970 km/h: maximum take-off weight: 8,000 kg/6.000 kg; propulsion system: 1 Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan of 191kN (with afterburner) or 187kN (with afterburner); crew: 1 pilot; armament: 25mm GAU-22A cannon (external), AMRAAM and Meteor missiles, GBU-39 (A and B), GBU-31 (A), GBU-32 (B) laser-guided bombs and GPS.

Italy is looking at the sixth-generation fighter, the Gcap, a new conceptual defence model. A system of combat aircraft, integrated with unmanned cooperative systems, satellites and other military assets. The project envisages that all elements of the system will be connected by an 'intelligent' network, based on a dedicated cloud architecture, artificial intelligence and next-generation datalinks. It is to enter into service from 2035, replacing the Eurofighters. In December 2024 Leonardo for Italy, Bae Systems for the UK and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement for Japan signed the joint venture that will develop the programme.