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ROME — Italy will cut its acquisition of Joint Strike Fighters from 131 to 90, Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola told the Italian Parliament on Feb 15.
The reduction in Italy’s JSF order by 41 aircraft forms part of an all-around trimming of Italy’s armed forces, forced by a 28 percent cut in defense ministry spending in 2012 as Italy seeks to survive Europe’s economic meltdown.
Addressing a joint hearing of the defense commissions of the two houses of the Italian Parliament, Di Paola said that Italy would also cut tanks, helicopters and artillery. Two army brigades will be axed, he said.
Navy vessel numbers will also be cut, with patrol vessels dropping from 18 to 10 and submarines dropping from six to four.
Without giving further details, Di Paola said that Italy’s air defense fighter numbers would also drop.
Di Paola said the JSF remained essential to Italy as the aircraft that will replace its aging Tornados, AMX fighter bombers and AV8 aircraft. “Italy has already invested 2.5 billion euros ($3.29 billion) in the program,” he said. “We envisaged ordering 131. Now a review of the program has led us to conclude that 90 aircraft is achievable.”
Military bases will be reduced, and Italy’s military head count will drop from 183,000 to about 150,000. Civilian staff will be cut from 30,000 to 20,000. The personnel reductions, which have been mulled for a number of years, will take place over the course of a decade, Di Paola said. Personnel cuts will be made by limiting intake and farming out personnel to other state institutions.
At a press conference on Feb. 14, Di Paola said the personnel cuts would target Italy’s top-heavy officer class. “Fewer generals, fewer admirals, more operational readiness and technology,” he said.
