Italy to take part in Libya strikes

After weeks of restricting itself to Combat Air Patrols and reconnaissance missions, the Italian air force has now been cleared to join NATO's attack on military targets in Libya. Italy had previously said it would not take part in the NATO-led air strikes due to sensitivity over its 40-year colonial rule over the country.

Italy's first T-346A trainer makes maiden flight

With the aircraft due to enter service soon, the Italian air force’s first T-346A advanced jet trainer made its debut flight from Alenia Aermacchi’s Venegono production site. The aircraft had been rolled out last December.

Italian Typhoons, Harriers fly first missions over Libya

Previously operating only as part of the air defence network, Italian Typhoons and Harriers have begun flying combat air patrol missions over Libya in support of NATO's Operation Unified Protector. The Typhoons and Harriers are based at Trapani and the carrier Garibaldi respectively.

VIDEO: Danish F-16s join Italian Typhoons at Winter Hide 2011

Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from the Italian Air Force's 4° Stormo hosted 11 Skrydstrup-based F-16 jets from the Royal Danish Air Force Base in a joint exercise codenamed Winter Hide 2011 at Grosseto, home of the Italian Typhoons.

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Italian Air Force Receives 1st KC-767A Tanker From Boeing

The first of four Boeing KC767-A tanker aircraft has been delivered to the Italian Air Force. The aircraft flew from Kansas to Pratica di Mare airbase south of Rome for a hand-over ceremony. The KC767-A replaces the B-707T/T tanker previously flown by the Italian Air Force.

Typhoon marks 100,000 hours with special markings for users

In less than eight years, operational Eurofighter Typhoons in service with various air forces have achieved the milestone of 100,000 flying hours. Typhoons from the RAF, Luftwaffe, Italian, Spanish and Austrian Air Forces gained inscriptions marking the milestone. Here are some photos of the specially marked aircraft (All photos from Eurofighter):

RAF | Luftwaffe | Italy | Spain | Austria |

Eurofighter delivers five Typhoons to the Italian Air force in one day

Closing off a busy 2010 on a high note, Eurofighter partner Alenia Aeronautica delivered Eurofighter Typhoon jets to the Italian Air Force in one day late in December. The deliveries brought the consortium's 2010's deliveries to 51 aircraft, a higher number than planned.

Italian air force accepts first Tornado IDS with mid-life update

Alenia Aeronautica has delivered the first Panavia Tornado upgraded to "basic full mid-life update" status to the Italian air force. The aircraft is the first of 15 aircraft being upgraded under a contract awarded in October 2007. The Italian Air Force has recently announced that its remaining Tornadoes will undergo a more comprehensive upgrade.

Italy to complete Mid-Life upgrades of Tornado fleet

The Italian Air Force has awarded a contract to carry out a Mid-Life Upgrade of 25 Tornado strike aircraft. Most of the work will be carried out by Finmeccanica’s Alenia Aeronautica with deliveries running until 2015. The Air Force already has 33 Tornadoes upgraded to an earlier MLU standard.

Italy orders DIRCM systems for transports, helicopters

A three year contract has been awarded to Elettronica to supply the ELT/572 directional infrared countermeasures equipment for installation on Italian Air Force transport aircraft and helicopters. The firm will develop, integrate and ground-test DIRCM installation for the C-27J, C-130J transports and AW101 helicopter.

Eurofighter delivers 250th Typhoon

Eurofighter is celebrating the 250th delivery of a Typhoon jet fighter (and the 50th this year) since 2003. The aircraft was handed over to the Italian air force at the Pratica di Mare air base.

First two Italian Air Force T-346A trainers roll out

Alenia Aermacchi has unveiled the first two M-346 advanced trainers from the first batch of six aircraft for the Italian Air Force. The aircraft will be delivered to the Experimental Flying Unit later in 2011 and is designated T-346 by the Italian Air Force.

Italians to upgrade C-27s into counter-IED platforms

The Italian air force is upgrading its C-27J/G222s with equipment for protecting ground troops from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Radio frequency jammers and ground penetrating radar will be installed in the upgrade.The expansion into the counter-IED role is initially intended to aid Italian forces in western Afghanistan, but other regions eventually will be included

Israeli AF exercises with Italians

With low level flying and interception in mind, The Israeli Air Force has taken part in joint training exercises with the Italian Air Force. Israeli F-15s and F-16s took part in the exercises, with Eurofighter Typhoons included in the host nation's force lineup. The exercise was also marked the first overseas training for the G550 Eitam AEW aircraft.