This is the twelfth radar, thus completing the National Air Defence programme, developed in synergy with Leonardo and other leading Italian companies. Several military authorities and representatives from Leonardo and Vitrociset, the main national companies involved in the works on the Lampedusa site, also attended the event.
The inauguration of the FADR System (Fixed Air Defence Radar, model RAT–31DL) also marks the conclusion of a wider ten-year programme which, along with the synergy of the national industrial sector, has led to the technological renewal of 12 fixed radars covering the entire national airspace, improving the efficiency of the National Air Defence system.
The FADR is a long-range (over 470 kilometres) surveillance radar with anti-ballistic capabilities. It is characterised by its advanced ’solid-state” technology, which makes it highly reliable. The system complies with the most stringent market standards, including full NATO interoperability. Sold worldwide in over 50 units, the radar has indeed been chosen by numerous member countries of the Atlantic Alliance, making Leonardo a key partner in the field of air defence. Hon. Tofalo, in his speech, wished to express his praise for the national air surveillance system, the main task of the Air Force.”and a valuable asset at the service of the country and all citizens, perfectly integrated with the other Armed Forces. Thanks to this new high-technology system, the result of Italian excellence, our Blue Army will be able to share important information for global security even more effectively.“.
Even General Red wanted to point out how “The new air traffic surveillance structure, based on fixed terrestrial radar sensors, represents a fundamental element of the National Air Defence system and of NATO, of which interceptor fighter jets, other air assets with airborne radar sensors, and command and control centres are an integral part.“The objective achieved “It can be considered an all-Italian success, as it is the result of full collaboration between the Defence, national industry and local communities, carried out with the utmost attention to the respect of the territory and landscape, with the utmost attention to the environment.“.
The ceremony was sealed with a symbolic ribbon-cutting and a fly-past by a pair of Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from the 37th Wing of Trapani Birgi; afterwards, all the authorities present and the guests attending the event were escorted inside the installation housing the RAT–31DL, and had the opportunity to visit the entire Lampedusa radar site, which was simultaneously redeveloped as part of the works.
The 134a The Remote Radar Squadron, integrated into the National Integrated Air Defence network, also in peacetime, with that of other NATO countries, has the task of continuously maintaining the assigned system in full operational efficiency and ensuring the surveillance of its designated airspace. The Lampedusa Air Force Detachment provides logistical support to the 134th Remote Radar Squadron and to other military entities stationed on the island of Lampedusa, offering assistance to Italian Air Force military aircraft transiting through the civilian airport.
The radar inaugurated today is part of the network of sensors distributed throughout the national territory tasked with gathering the information needed to intercept potential aerial threats. The data collected by the radars are then distributed and processed by the 11th Integrated Air and Missile Defence Group (D.A.M.I.) in Poggio Renatico (FE) and the 22nd Radar Group in Licola (NA), which then have the task of guiding Air Defence assets. Specifically, the Air Force employs Eurofighter aircraft from the 4th Wing in Grosseto, the 36th Wing in Gioia del Colle, and the 37th Wing in Trapani, which take turns, as needed, to also support a temporary unit at the 51st Wing base in Istrana. Furthermore, since March 2018, F35 aircraft from the 32nd Wing in Amendola have also been integrated into the Air Defence system, contributing their specific operational capabilities and latest-generation technology to the defence of Italian skies.
The air space violation alert chain dictates that the order for immediate scramble of fighter jets will be issued by the CAOC (Combined Air Operation Centre) in Torrejon (Spain), the NATO entity responsible for air space surveillance in the area, whose national contact point is the AOC (Air Operation Centre) in Poggio Renatico (FE).
The AOC performs fundamental tasks in the organisation of the air defence service and carries out constant supervision of the correct functioning of the system. Should a non-military threat to Italian airspace arise, the IT-AOC resumes command of the interceptor aircraft assigned to NATO, for subsequent counteraction. This occurs when a civilian aircraft transiting through national airspace displays anomalous, and therefore potentially dangerous, behaviour for safety, or when it requires air support due to technical problems compromising flight safety.
