Italian armed forces

The cockpit has three multifunction, colour, head-down displays (MHDDs), which show the tactical situation, systems status and map displays. As well as an internally mounted 27mm Mauser gun, the EurofighterTyphoon has 13 hard points for weapon carriage.For air-to-air combat, the standard weapon configuration is four beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) and two ASRAAM short-range air-to-air missiles on the outer pylons. A mix of up to ten medium- and short-range missiles can be carried. Italian Eurofighters will carry the imaging infrared IRIS-T air-to-air missile being developed by BGT of Germany. The aircraft is equipped with a CAPTOR (ECR 90) multi-mode X-band pulse Doppler radar, developed by the Euroradar consortium. The Eurofighter is equipped with two Eurojet EJ200 engines.

The Italian Air Force will receive thirty single-seat F-16 aircraft in the Block 15 Air Defense Fighter configuration and four two-seat F-16B Block 10 OCU ( Operational Capabilities Upgrade ) aircraft. Italy will be the twenty-first country to operate the F-16, and the sixth country to acquire Fighting Falcons from USAF inventory. The five-year lease is renewable for a second five-year period. The LOA and lease value is approximately $777 million over 10 years. The 34 refurbished F-16 fighters for lease by the Italian air force will be powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.  The fighter engines will be upgraded from the current F100-PW-200 engines to the more powerful PW-220E. 

The Ground-Attack role is assigned the Tornado IDS, of which some 100 were bought by the Italian Air Force. The aircraft is equipped with an advanced sensor and defensive aids suite for low-level, deep-penetration missions in all weathers by day and by night. The aircraft is equipped with a wide range of weapons. For close air support and interdiction, the aircraft is typically equipped with iron bombs, cluster bombs and laser-guided bombs. They can also be fitted with the Kormoran missile in the anti-ship missile. The comprehensive suite of navigation equipment includes a terrain-following, ground-mapping radar, Decca Doppler Type 72 radar and BAE SYSTEMS FIN1010 three-axis digital inertial navigation system. Some 16 Tornado IDSs were converted to the Tornado ECR ( Electronic Combat & Reconnaissance ). This version is dedicated to the SEAD role and armed with the HARM missile.

The first AMX aircraft was delivered to the Italian Air Force in January 1989 and production ended in 1998. A total of 110 single-seater AMX and 26 two-seater AMX-T were delivered to the Italian Air Force. The AMX-T (Trainer) is a two-seater version of the AMX, for the operational conversion role and suitably equipped, for such roles as EW, reconnaissance and maritime attack. Most Italian AMX-Ts are assigned to the 110º Gruppo of the 32º Stormo but one or two are also assigned to each AMX group. The AMX can carry external loads up to 3800kg.

In 1981 an upgrade programme was launched to approximately 150 of the surviving F-104S aircraft in order to extend their service life, with the flight tests of the ASA-version (Aggiornamento Sistema d'Arma) starting in 1983. The main changes included replacement for the radar by an FIAR R21G/M1 Setter with improved range, moving target indicator and look down/shoot down capability. The missile armament was upgraded with provision for the AIM-9L version of the Sidewinder and the replacement of the Sparrow with the Aspide 1A radar-guided missile.

RQ-1A Predator is a long endurance, medium altitude unmanned aircraft system for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Surveillance imagery from synthetic aperture radar, video cameras and a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) can be distributed in real time both to the front line soldier and to the operational commander or worldwide in real time via satellite communication links.

Equipment of the Italian Army : Armoured Vehicles : - Ariete MBT The Ariete main battle tank has been developed by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Otobreda with headquarters in Rome. Ariete is in service with the Italian Army. 200 tanks have been ordered and final deliveries are due in 2002.The Ariete can engage stationary and moving targets by day and by night, while the tank itself is stationary or on-the-move. The main gun is a 44 calibre 120 mm auto-frettaged smoothbore gun manufactured by OTOBreda.The Ariete is also armed with a 7.62 mm NATO standard machine gun. - Leopard 1A 5 MBT - VCC 1/2 IFV         VCC-1                  VCC-2      VCC-1/2 Camallino Armored Combat Vehicle was developed for the Italian Army by OTO-Breda. It is a modernized and highly modified version of the American M-113 armored personnel carrier. Systems & Electronics Inc has produced the TOW Under-Armour (TUA) turret on the VCC-1 chassis for Saudi Arabia. - VCC 80 Dardo The Dardo Hitfist Infantry Fighting Vehicle, in production for the Italian Army, is designed and manufactured by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat. The Dardo infantry fighting vehicle is an Italian combat tank and a motorised personnel carrier. In service with the Italian Army, it will replace the VCC (modernized M-113). It has automatic fire control and passive night vision capabilities, and it is planned to develop a variety of different versions (combat engineers, recovery, transmissions, antiaircraft, etc.). - Centauro 8x8 Armoured vehicles The Centauro family of wheeled armoured fighting vehicles has been developed by Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Otobreda, based in Rome. Centauro entered production in 1991 and 400 are in service with the Italian Army.The Centauro family of 8x8 vehicles consists of the Reconnaissance Antitank Vehicle, the VBC Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the Armoured Personnel Carrier, all with a common chassis. Centauro is capable of firing while stationary or on the move, against moving or stationary targets by day or night. - Puma 4x4 and 6x6 Armoured vehicles            6x6                4x4   The Puma Armoured Fighting Vehicles are a family of light wheeled armoured vehicles developed in a 4x4 and 6x6 configuration by the Consorzio Iveco Fiat - Otobreda based in Rome.The Puma family of vehicles were developed for the Italian Army to complement the fleet of Centauro Tank Destroyer vehicles.The hulls for the different versions of the Puma vehicles are customised to meet the specific mission requirements, while the mechanical systems, with minor differences in the transfer casing, are common to the family of vehicles. At the end of 1999, the Italian Army ordered 580 Puma vehicles, 250 of the 6 x 6 configuration, and 330 4 x 4 vehicles. Deliveries are planned to be completed in 2004. - Fiat 6614 G Armoured Vehicle - LVT - P7 Amphibious APC Artillery : - FH-70-155mm Field  Howitzer A towed howitzer capable of moving itself by an auxiliary power unit. The maximum range is about 30 km. First delivered to the ItalianArmy in 1980.  Designed to enable NATO forces to use the 155mm round which is capable of disrupting massed armoured formations. The gun is normally towed into action, but in emergencies can use a small petrol engine mounted on the gun to move short distances on the battlefield. - XM777 155mm Field  Howitzer (UFH) The XM777 matches the firepower of current generation 155 mm towed systems for less than half the weight. The Howitzer is equipped with a 39 calibre barrel. The muzzle velocity (at Charge 8 super) is 827 metres per second.The maximum firing range is 24.7 km with unassisted rounds and 30 km with rocket-assisted rounds.The XM777 has a production weight of 3,745 kg and can be transported by helicopter, transporter aircraft and ship. The howitzer can be towed by an air-braked 4x4 vehicle greater than 2.5 tons. The Italian Army ordered 70 systems. - M109L Self Propelled Howitzer - PZH2000 Self Propelled Howitzer - MLRS Helicopters : - A.129/CBT  'Mangusta' The A129 International multi-role combat helicopter is the latest variant of the A129 Mangusta (Mongoose) helicopter in service with the Italian Army. It is manufactured by AgustaWestland. The A129 International is a multi-role helicopter for armed reconnaissance and surveillance, high value ground target engagement, escort, fire support and air threat suppression. It is armed with new powerful air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, an off-axis cannon and an increased weapon payload.The Italian Army are to be equipped with a total of 60 Mangusta helicopters, 45 of the A129 variant and 15 of the A129 International. The first 45 are to be upgraded to the multi-role standard. - A.109 A/CM - AB.205 - AB.206 - AB.212 - AB.412 - CH-47C

In southern Europe, there have been important developments from a Naval perspective. In Italy, where a long battle to restore fixed-wing aviation to the Fleet resulted in the commissioning of Guiseppe Garibaldi in 1985, the new 'Andrea Doria' class carrier is planned to enter service in 2007. This ship is an ingenious hybrid design that meets the differing requirements to operate aircraft, to act as an amphibious ship and to include Ro-Ro capabilities. The first of the new air defence `Horizon' class destroyers will enter service in the same year. The French and Italian governments signed a contract with prime contractor Horizon SAS for the development and construction of four new-generation AAW frigates, two for each Navy. Horizon frigates are front-line fighting ships designed primarily to provide anti-air defence for local area cover or extended cover against saturation missile attacks.      Italy's 26,660-ton Nuova Unita Maggiore (NUM, major new unit) was ordered on 22 November for delivery in 2007. The 776-foot-long ship initially is to carry either eight Harriers or a dozen EH.101 helicopters (or a mix), although she would be an ideal eventual platform for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter (JFS). Work began at Muggiano on the first of two German-designed Type 212A submarines on 3 July 1999 and on the second a year later, but the pair will not enter Italian Navy service until 2005 and 2006. Meanwhile, the two Italian-designed, 1,862-ton Primo Longobardo-class and the two 1,662-ton Salvatore Pelosi-class submarines are receiving new equipment to extend their service life. Italy is also building two very similar classes of offshore patrol ships that resemble small frigates but that are only minimally armed. The first of four NUMC (Nuove Unitá Minori Combattenti) variants of the design, the 1,520-ton Comandante Cigale Fulgosi, was launched on 7 October for delivery next February. In August, two 1,580-ton NUPA-Nuove Unitá per il Pattugliamento d'Altura (New High-Seas Patrol Ships) variants of the design, the Sirio and the Orione, were ordered. Both classes share the same 291-foot hull, and both have a helicopter flight deck and hangar. Ships of the Italian Navy: Aircraft Carriers : - Guiseppe Garibaldi class VSTOL aircraft carrier   The flagship of the Italian Navy is the aircraft carrier MM Garibaldi, built by Fincantieri of Genoa and commissioned in 1985. Garibaldi (C551) is classed as a CVS – Aircraft Carrier ASW (Anti-submarine Warfare). The ship is capable of carrying 18 helicopters or an air squadron of vertical or short take-off and landing (VSTOL) aircraft.The ship's command and control system is the IPN 20 supplied by Alenia Marconi Systems. IPN 20 gathers information from the ship's sensors and from the communications and data networks in order to compile and display the tactical situation.  The ship's long-range surface-to-surface missile system, the MBDA (formerly Alenia) Otomat , two launchers on the port and two on the starboard side. The MBDA Albatros surface-to-air missile system provides short-range point defence.The system uses the Aspide missile. Aspide has a semi-active radar seeker and a range of 14km. Forty-eight Aspide missiles are carried. The ship can accommodate up to 18 helicopters, for example the Agusta Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King or the Agusta Bell AB212. Alternatively the ship can accommodate 16 AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, or a mix of helicopter and Harriers.  - Andrea  Doria NUM) AIRCRAFT CARRIER On the 22 November 2000, a contract was drawn up between Fincantieri and the Ministry of Naval Defence to supply an aircraft carrier vessel, better known as a "new major vessel", to the Italian Navy. Building work on the new vessel which will be named the Andrea Doria, began at Fincantieri's shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano in July 2001 and the ship will be delivered in 2007.  The ship will have a standard displacement of about 22,000t, an overall length of about 235m and a speed of no less than 29 knots; it will be able to accommodate up to 1,290 people on board comprising a maximum landing force of 450.The ship's strongest features will be its high flexibility in operational terms, its capacity to carry out the functions of an aircraft carrier and the transport of wheeled and tracked vehicles for both military and civil defence missions. Surface Combatants : - Horizon Class Destroyer   The French and Italian governments signed a contract with prime contractor Horizon SAS for the development and construction of four new-generation AAW frigates, two for each Navy. The Italian vessels will replace the frigates Ardito and Audace. They will be built at the Fincantieri shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano near Genoa and delivered in mid-2007 and early 2009, respectively. Horizon frigates are front-line fighting ships designed primarily to provide anti-air defence for local area cover or extended cover against saturation missile attacks. The most representative mission for the vessels and their powerful anti-submarine and anti-air self-defence systems will be the protection of carrier groups, as when the Italian vessels escort the Giuseppe Garibaldi or the Andrea Doria. With a displacement of 6,500 tons for an overall length of 150m and a maximum speed of 29kts, Horizon AAW frigates will offer remarkable combat capabilities and fire power. The combat systems, now being developed under a European cooperation effort, will feature the PAAMS anti-air missile system and the SLAT anti-torpedo system. - Vittorio Veneto helicopter cruiser The Vittorio Veneto is a purpose built helicopter cruiser that followed from the design of the Andrea Doria class of the 1950s. The addition of a second deck gave her a much greater helicopter capacity.  A large central lift is set immediately aft of the superstructure and two sets of fin stabilizers make her a very steady helicopter platform. She has gone through two major refits in 1981 and 1984 which have upgraded her weaponry and radars. Her previous role of Italian flagship was handed over to the carrier Guiseppe Garibaldi in 1995. - Luigi Durand de la Penne class destroyers     The Durand De La Penne destroyers are 5000t multi-role warships able to perform anti-air defence for protecting task forces and convoys, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations, assistance during landing operations and coastal bombardment. destroyers were built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy. The first-of-class ship, MM Luigi Durand De La Penne (D560), and the second, MM Francesco Mimbelli (D561), were commissioned in 1993. The ship's surface-to-surface missile system is the MBDA (formerly Alenia) OTOMAT Mk2.The Albatros Mark 2 medium-range surface-to-air missile system is supplied by MBDA (Alenia) of Rome. The Albatros system employs the semi-active Aspide missile to provide the ship with point defence. Range is 15km.The ship is also equipped with the Raytheon Standard Missile SM-2MR Tartar GMLS Mark 13 missile system for defence against medium-range airborne targets. The ship is equipped with a helicopter deck and a hangar with facilities for two helicopters such as the Agusta Bell AB 212, the Sea King SH-3D or the EH-101. - Audace class destroyers The Audace class was derived from the Impavido class but incorparated a number of modifications in weapons and detection systems. Two ships were built D 550 Ardito and D 551 Audace. The ship's surface to surface missile system is the Otomat by MBDA (formerly Alenia and Matra BAe Dynamics). The ship is also equipped with the Raytheon Standard Missile SM-2MR Tartar GMLS Mark 13 missile system for defence against medium-range airborne targets. - Maestrale class frigates The Maestrale class is an improved design of the Lupo Class. The armerment and detection systems were also greatly improved. Eight Maestrale frigates were built in total. Armerment includes 4 OTO Melara Teseo Mk 2 anti-ship missiles and a Selenia Albatros octuple launcher armed with the Aspide surface to air missile. The helicopter hangar can hold 2 AB 212 ASW helicopters. - Lupo (Artigliere) class light frigates The Lupo (Artigliere) class light frigates, operational with the Italian Navy, were built by Fincantieri. They were initially built for Iraq, but delivery was cancelled following the United Nations embargoes against Iraq in 1990. New weapons and communications systems were fitted to meet the requirements of the Italian Navy. The helicopter deck at the stern has a single landing spot for an Agusta Bell AB 212 helicopter. The ship's surface to surface missile system is the Otomat by MBDA (formerly Alenia and Matra BAe Dynamics). The missile system has eight Otomat Teseo Mark 2 missile launchers.For air defence, the ship is fitted with the Albatros medium-range surface-to-air missile system from Alenia Elsag Sistemi Navali (AESN). This consists of one eight-cell launcher for the Aspide missile, which has a range of 15km and uses semi-active radar homing to deliver a 33kg fragmentation warhead.The ship's main gun installed on the bow deck is the Otobreda 127mm gun. - Comandante Cigale Filose Patrol Frigates The The Comandante Borsini represents a new light combatant type with Alenia Marconi combat system and Elmer communications. It will be used for economic zone security, safeguarding maritime borders and patrolling international waters. The first of four NUMC (Nuove Unitá Minori Combattenti) variants of the design, the 1,520-ton Comandante Cigale Fulgosi, was launched on 7 October for delivery next February. Armed only with a single 76-mm OTOBreda gun and a pair of 25-mm cannon, the NUMCs are powered by two Wärtsilä NSD Italia diesels to provide 17,370 horsepower for 25-knot speeds. - Sirio Class patrol vessels In August, two 1,580-ton NUPA-Nuove Unitá per il Pattugliamento d'Altura (New High-Seas Patrol Ships) variants of the design, the Sirio and the Orione, were ordered. Equipped with two 5,800-horsepower diesels for 22-knot speeds, the pair will have no armament other than light machine guns but will have provision for installation of a 76-mm gun and fire control system later, if needed. Both classes share the same 291-foot hull, and both have a helicopter flight deck and hangar. Submarines : - Primo Longobardo class coastal submarines The Sauro class constitute the actual submarine fleet of the Italian Navy. Built in Italy in the shipyards of Fincantieri of Monfalcone, they have replaced the submarines of the Toti class and the American Romei class. The Sauro class were delivered in 4 batches to the Italian navy with every batch small modifications and improvements. In order to increase to service life of the Sauro class 6 of the total of 8  will be going through an upgrade process receiving new STN-Atlas Elektronik ISUS-90-20 combat data and control systems, new silencing measures, and new ship control systems in a program to be completed next year. First & Second Batch : Nazario Sauro class Third Batch : Salvatore Pelosi class Fourth Batch : Primo Longobardo class - U212A Italian and German Ministry of Defence delegates signed a "Memorandum of understanding" concerning a cooperation program for the construction of new generation submarines derivate from the original U-212 German project: the U 212 A. Joining this program, Italian Navy new Submarines will be created with the U-212A Project, based on the original U-212 German Project but modified in some important details such as the operating depth and the implementation of several italian technologies. The U-212A will be a Conventional Submarine with Anaerobic capabilities based on a combined Diesel and "Fuel Cell" propulsion System.  Work began at Muggiano on the first of two German-designed Type 212A submarines on 3 July 1999 and on the second a year later, but the pair will not enter Italian Navy service until 2005 and 2006. Amphibious Ships : - San Giorgio class small dock landing ships   The three San Giorgio class amphibious transport dock ships in service with the Italian Navy were built by Fincantieri at their Riva Trigoso shipyard.  The ships provide roll-on/roll-off landing capability for land embarkation; air lift through the use off high capacity aircraft such as Chinook-type helicopters; and transportation by sea to shore, using the ship's own systems and landing ships for landing on unprepared shores. The San Giorgio class ships can lift a battalion of troops, with up to 30 medium tanks, or 36 tracked armoured vehicles. The stern floodable dock can accommodate three LCM (or MTM) landing craft.San Giorgio and San Marco are to be modified to increase the flight deck for helicopter operations. The 76mm gun mount and two port side davits for LCVP's will be removed, giving space for a new central flight deck. This will allow two EH 101 helicopters and two medium helicopters (NH 90 or AB 212) to be launched at the same time. Replenishment Ships : - Etna small replenishment oiler The purpose of the Marina Militare MM Etna is to fully support the long-range missions of a naval squadron, which would typically include an aircraft carrier and complete escort. The Etna (A5326) is a naval replenishment and logistic support ship built for the Italian Navy by Fincantieri at their Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard. MM Etna has a limited weapons fit for self defence. The ship is equipped with a surface search radar (RASS) supplied by Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS), an AMS CTI 20 command and control system and an Elmer MAC integrated telecommunications system. MM Etna is fitted with a single spot flight deck, measuring 28 x 16m.The helicopter facilities give the ship the capability to re-supply warships by vertical replenishment (VERTREP).Two ships can be replenished at the same time using four Replenishment at Sea/ Fuel at Sea (RAS/FAS) stations on two frames.The cargo capacity includes 4,700t diesel fuel, 5,400t of diesel fuel overload, 1,200t of aviation fuel, and 160t of fresh water. The ship also has capacity for up to twelve storage containers. - Stromboli class small fleet oilers <!--mstheme--