The “F-35 Lightning II-JSF” (Joint Strike Fighter) program has the aim to develop and produce a new generation combat weapon system, economically sustainable and ‘supportable’ throughout the world. The main Italian need is to replace the aircraft AV-8B Harrier of the Navy and the AMX of the Air Force, starting from the mid of the next decade. The activities of the program started already in 1994, with a phase of technological exploration, to proceed then with the activities of the concept development in the following years. For this reason Italy has joined the Concept Demonstration phase since 1998 and started in 2001 a strong negotiation phase of international agreements (MoU, Memorandum of Understanding) to grant the following industrial development phase. Obtained the necessary parliamentary and ministerial approvals, on June 24th 2002, the Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director signed the bilateral Italy-USA supplement to the ‘Framework MoU’ for the SDD (System Design and Development) phase and, on July 23rd 2002, it was signed the respective agreement document and financial commitment. To this phase the following Nations, in addition to the United States of America, have participated: United Kingdom (only partner of the 1st level), Italy and the Netherlands (partner of 2nd level), Australia, Canada, Denmark, Norway and Turkey (partner of the 3rd level). Afterwards, Israel and Singapore signed an agreement of participation to the cooperation and security which has involved them in the program. The portion of the Italian participation to the program is equal to 4% of the costs of the entire SDD phase, which will be developed within 2002 and 2012.

This course started when the then-Minister of Defence Beniamino Andreatta began the explorative phase in the perspective of the Italian participation to the ‘JSF’ program, with the aim of an adhesion to a multinational project which would operate on level of excellences from the technological point, foster the interoperability among NATO Air Forces and care of cost containment. The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a multirole aircraft with a strong orientation for the air-ground attack, Stealth, that is low radar observability and so highly survivability, able to use a huge range of armament and operate from semi-prepared or decayed runways, designed for the operational context which characterize the modern military operations of the post-Cold War era. Specifically, the JSF can fulfill a huge spectrum of missions, in confirmation of the remarkable versatility of the aircraft, executing operational tasks of deep projection of the ‘air power’, suppression of enemy air defenses and contribution to the achievement of the air superiority. Moreover, it can offer an excellent close support to the ground forces and execute a decisive action of gathering, elaboration and distribution through the network of data and images, thanks to the most sophisticated sensors of which it is equipped. This important and distinctive capability will allow, in an innovative manner and in view of its sensorial excellency, to contribute to support missions to the civil Protection and other Agencies dealing with civilian aspects. Moreover, the project provides also important opportunities and economic effect on the Italian industry, such as the industrial participation to the job and transfer of technologies.

In addition to the necessary acquisition of a fifth generation combat aircraft with planning, constructive and innovative operational characteristics, for the national prestige it has held as strategic importance also the development on the Italian territory, at the Italian Air Force base in Cameri, of a final assembly line, maintenance and updating, the only one out of the United States of America, named FACO/MRO&U (Final Assembly and Check Out/Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade). Having in Italy a only European Centre for the maintenance, the logistic support and updating of the aircraft is an asset for the entire Old Continent and, thanks to the Europeanization of the program, and hopefully of the aerospace industry, it can become one of the basis of the strengthening of the technological capabilities and European industries and, together, of a renewed and enhanced transatlantic cooperation. Thanks to the negotiation power of our Country if the United States has allowed the development of a FACO in Italy designed to the final assembly and test on our and Dutch aircraft, as well as the development of an overhaul center, repair and MRO&U modification of national, European partners’ and Mediterranean nations’ models. It is an important strategic result which gives a preeminent position to our Country in the ‘JSF’ program in terms of industrial and occupational impact.