Scramble alert for two air defence interceptor fighters

A pair of F-2000 Eurofighters from the 4th Wing of Grosseto took off to check on a civil aircraft that had lost radio contact This morning a pair of fighter aircraft Eurofighter Typhoon of the Italian Air Force, on alert duty for the defence of national airspace, carried out an interception following an immediate takeoff order (technically known as a “scramble”) to intercept and check an Antonov AN-26 aircraft belonging to the Ukrainian airline Vulkan Air, flying from Tangier to Fiumicino, which had lost radio contact with air traffic control agencies. The Italian Air Force ensures the surveillance of national airspace 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, through an integrated defence system that, even in peacetime, is integrated with that of other NATO member countries. The service is guaranteed – for the surveillance, identification and control aspects – by the 11th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico (Ferrara) and the 22nd Radar Group of Licola (Naples), and regarding in-flight intervention, by the 4th Wing (Grosseto), the 36th Wing (Gioia del Colle) and the 37th Wing (Trapani), all equipped with Eurofighter fighter jets. Since January 2017, the Italian Air Force has also operated an Eurofighter F-2000 cell at the 51st Wing of Istrana in order to optimise national airspace coverage, with a view to generally reducing response times and promptly countering any threats. Furthermore, since March 2018, F-35 aircraft from the 32nd Wing of Amendola have also been integrated into the air defence system, contributing with specific operational capabilities and latest-generation technology to the defence of Italian skies.