On Thursday 12th May, the handover ceremony for new weapon systems acquired by the Italian Armed Forces took place in Martina Franca. General Molteni was present. The event was held in the presence of Air Division General Fabio Molteni, commander of the 2nd Division of the Air Force Logistics Command, who oversaw the procurement of the new weaponry following a period of study and experimentation, and Air Brigade General Roberto Lamanna, Commander of the 1st Air Brigade ‘Special Operations’ of Rome, to which the 16th Wing is subordinate. Local civil and religious authorities also attended the ceremony.
The transition to the new weapon system was formalised by the direct handover of the new armaments from General Molteni into the hands of the Commander of the 16th Wing, Colonel Paolo Citta. Subsequently, the same ‘gesture’ was made towards a platoon of ‘Air Riflemen’ who symbolically received the new individual weapons and relinquished those already in their possession – namely the AR 70/90 SCP rifle and the 92SB pistol. The ARX-160 rifle represents the natural successor to the AR70/90 for the Italian Armed Forces, just as the 90two pistol constitutes the evolution of the 92SB currently in use. Both are produced by Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta and form part of the complex ‘Soldato Futuro’ (Future Soldier) system. The Italian Armed Forces have decided to adopt new weapons that combine the usual technical and reliability characteristics with excellent ergonomics and a reduced weight.
“Receiving the ARX-160 rifle and the 90two pistol today directly from the Commander of the 2nd Division of the Rome Logistic Command lends particular prestige to this handover ceremony,” reported Colonel Citta. “Added to this is the pride of being the first unit of the Air Force to be equipped with the new weapon systems.”.
During his speech, General Lamanna emphasised how “the handover of new weaponry to the Martina Franca Unit represents a further significant technological step forward, aimed at increasing the individual defence capabilities of the Airman Rifleman. This choice is dictated by the specific characteristics of the 16th Wing, which specialises in the protection of Air Force personnel and assets, both in Italy and abroad.”.
General Molteni explained how “the choice of the ARX-160 and the 90two pistol is responsive to the new operational needs linked to the commitments of the Air Force and the 16th Wing, stemming from the profound changes in the international scenario. The two weapon systems are the result of the ‘Soldier of the Future’ programme, which aims to give the Italian soldier equipment commensurate with new operational requirements, utilising the latest technologies.”.
