From governance to delays and costs: the Court of Auditors' spotlight on the F35 programme

The document also dwells on the time factor. "It has suffered significant delays, especially in its experimental phase," the Court of Auditors recalls, "since it should have ended in 2012 and, instead, ended in 2023, causing a considerable delay also in the subsequent phases. In particular, the transition to full production of the aircraft did not take place until 2024, instead of 2015, with an economic-financial impact, leading to increased costs that were reflected on the leading country, but also on its partners."

With reference to the shared cost forecasts (shared, ed.), "the unilateral decision by the US to exclude Turkey has led to an increase in the cost forecasts, as a new ceiling has been introduced for non-recurring shared programme costs, with a new financial commitment by Italia of $2,233.7 million for the period 2021-2051. Consequently, the amount is to be added to the contribution already paid, $602.15 million (compared to the estimated share of $603.64), for $2,835.85 million."

Then there is a problem concerning Italia's choices on the F35 purchase plan. "On the contrary," the document goes on to say, "the government's 2014 decision to reduce the purchase of the aircraft from 131 to 90, although it has led to a reduction in future shared costs, has not produced a proportional reduction in the charges already incurred. In addition, the negative economic effect reflected by the reduction in aircraft production for Italia mainly concerned the Italian industrial production of wing assemblies, which was significantly reduced (from 1,215 to 835), with a decrease in the forecast of employment volumes (from 10,000 to an estimated 3,500 to 6,400). However,' underlines the accounting judiciary, 'the current programmatic document of the Ministry of Defence has provided for the acquisition of 115 aircraft, modifying, again, the previous decision'.

"This,' reads the conclusions of the resolution, 'while mitigating the negative economic effects, as outlined above, resulting from the original reduction in the acquisition plan (from 131 to 90), it will also lead to a new increase in programme costs. Due to the need to introduce new technologies and in consideration of the inflationary trend, a further increase in shared costs has been estimated, which would exceed the financial limit finally set on a contractual basis between the US and the partners, by USD 17,220 million. The direct impact for Italia would be 440.27 million, reaching the maximum expected contribution of 3,276.12 million. Hence, an exponential growth of the programme's cost estimates in its shared cost component, with an impact also on Italia - whose estimated contribution has gone from USD 904 million to USD 2,835.85 (already agreed upon on a contractual basis) - to a further hypothetical increase (yet to be authorised) of USD 3,276.12 million. This cost component, in forecast terms, has more than tripled, without considering the subsequent update (not yet agreed) that revises the estimate upwards. The increase in the shared component," the accounting judges continue, "in addition to an increased disbursement on the initial forecasts (for example, compared to the budgeted amount of $904 million for this component as at 30 June 2025, $901 million has already been spent), reflects the impossibility of affecting the decision-making processes related to this area."

Finally, a passage of the document is on the industrial and technological return of the Trivalent Pole of Cameri. "It was built," the accounting magistrates recall, "with the aim of producing wing assemblies, assembling aircraft, maintaining and updating them. The establishment of the plant generated (June 2025) a cost of EUR 1.31 billion, while industrial participation in the F35 programme reached a contractual volume of USD 7.4 billion. The figure is $2.25 billion lower than the initial estimate (-23%), due to the negative financial and economic impact of the downsizing of the national fleet from 131 to 90 aircraft. The economic values are positive, in perspective, considering that, as stated by the Ministry of Defence, the Pole is a reference point for the Euro-Mediterranean area for the F35 fleet'. On the other hand, with regard to the 'technological return connected to the Pole', the Court of Auditors notes 'the marginality of the same with respect to the programme in its entirety, considering that the production of wing assemblies, and the assembly and maintenance of the aircraft relate more to avionics-mechanics skills than to the technological advancement typical of this avionics sector (radar, sensors, etc.)'.

Finally, the Court of Auditors clarifies that "the reduction of the acquisition plan (from 131 to 90 aircraft) has led to a downsizing of the estimates of employment volumes, which stand at between 3,500 and 6,400 positions. The actual employment (2024) is 3,861, in line with the range of the estimate; most of the employees work within Leonardo and of these more than half at the Pole."