On July 4, 2024, the Italian government submitted a request for parliamentary review to acquire the necessary armaments to achieve Full Operational Capabilities (FOC) for the fifth-generation embarked F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft. The program, with a projected total cost of 682 million euros, has 650.07 million euros already allocated from the ordinary defense budget.
The legislative framework requires Parliament to review programs related to acquiring weapon systems, facilities, and means directly intended for national defense. These programs are reviewed by the defense committees of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, which provide the necessary opinions. This review process must be completed within forty days of assignment. If the government does not align with the committees’ conditions or if the committees issue a negative opinion, the draft decree is resubmitted with the government’s counterarguments for a final opinion within thirty days. If a majority absolute negative opinion is issued based on non-compliance with the Multi-Year Defense Program (DPP), the program cannot proceed. Otherwise, the government may proceed with the decree’s adoption.
The armament program, developed in international cooperation, aims to replace the legacy AV-8B aircraft line with a projected operational lifespan of at least 30 years. This transition addresses the increasing complexity of current and future operational scenarios. The program includes 15 F-35B Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, requiring armaments and self-protection systems to support and protect the Naval Squadron effectively.
The specific armaments to be acquired include various types of guided bombs (GBUs), air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles, and 25mm cannon rounds. The detailed list of weapons comprises Small Diameter Bomb – SDB II (GBU-53) for the 250 lbs class, BLU-111 bomb body with guidance kits for GBU-12, GBU-38, and GBU-54 for the 500 lbs class, and BLU-110 bomb body with guidance kits for GBU-32 for the 1000 lbs class. Air-to-air missiles include AIM-9X Sidewinder for short-range engagements, AIM-120 AMRAAM for medium-range engagements, and Meteor for long-range engagements. Air-to-surface missiles include JSM (Joint Strike Missile) for long-range naval targets and Spear 3 for medium-range engagements. The program also covers 25mm Cannon Rounds for the onboard 25mm GAU-22/A cannon, a four-barrel version of the GAU-12/U Equalizer five-barrel 25 mm Gatling-type rotary cannon.