The Italian Republic has a fairly powerful and dynamically developing air force. According to experts, the Italian Air Force is an independent branch of the Armed Forces. The range of tasks they perform is quite wide. You will learn more about Italian aviation from this article.
Acquaintance with the military formation
The Italian Air Force is one of the branches of the Armed Forces of the Republic. According to historians, Italy became the first state to use military aircraft during the battle, namely in 1911-1912, when the Italo-Turkish war lasted. Officially , the Italian National Air Force was created in March 1923. In the documentation, this formation is listed as Regia Aeronautica.
A bit of history
After the formation of the Air Force, Italy involved them in the confrontation with Ethiopia. In addition, the civil war in Spain was not without this formation. Entered World War II with a fairly solid fleet of aircraft: there were over 3 thousand units. However, according to military experts, only 60% of the total were on alert. In the post-war era, the Italian Air Force remained under severe restrictions for some time. This situation lasted until 1949. Since the formation of NATO, intensive rearmament has been observed in the republic. Initially, Italy's aircraft fleet was replenished by supplies from the United States. Soon, Italy acquired licenses for the independent production of American combat aircraft.
Italy Air Force Structure
Today, 43 thousand people are serving in this military unit. There are at least 470 units in the fleet. Motto: Virtute Siderum Tenus, which translates as "with courage to the stars." Below is the Italian Air Force emblem.
Organizationally, this military unit consists of the main headquarters, two inspections that control aviation and flight safety, four commands, namely a squadron, support, flight schools and air operations. In addition, there is the first command of the aviation district in Milan and the third in the city of Bari. The main headquarters is based in Rome. Performs operational management of the Air Force, namely, develops a plan for the construction, preparation and use of aircraft. Also at the headquarters they distribute formations, units and subunits of the air force. The main organizational units are:
- Stormo. This formation corresponds to the regiment.
- Group. It is an analogue of the squadron.
- Squadron or link.
The Navy includes squadrons with combat aircraft (20), anti-aircraft missile groups (12), auxiliary aviation of 8 squadrons and five helicopter groups.
The aviation inspection is stationed in Rome. Supervises the activities of aviation. Three departments are involved in this. The first one prevents flight accidents, the second one investigates if they did occur, and the third department is represented by the legal service.
The training and aviation command in Bari is represented by two aviation and one helicopter wings, a planetary sport center and a research institute. Also in the command are the school and the Air Force Academy. Special courses are provided for the training of instructors, retraining of ordinary and non-commissioned officers.
Functions
In peacetime, the Italian Air Force, together with NATO air defense systems, provide air defense for the northern and southern sectors of the republic. Italian aviation can also be involved in peacekeeping operations conducted by the coalition. Italy’s airplanes conduct air reconnaissance, transfer cargo and troops to the desired areas. In the event of a natural disaster, the Italian Air Force is involved in the rescue and evacuation of victims. In wartime, military aircraft are used. With its help, they conquer and maintain dominance in the airspace, protect military groups and important infrastructure, destroy key enemy targets. Support aircraft landed, conduct search and rescue operations and carry out information and intelligence activities. According to military experts, the Italian Air Force, together with other military branches, can play a decisive role in the destruction of the enemy.
About strike aircraft
The main multi-purpose aircraft are 84 Tornado fighter-bombers. Italy purchases these models from the European Union. They armed the combat training groups Nos. 102, 154 and 156, which are part of Stormo 6 in the city of Gedi.
There is also a “Tornado” in Piacenza, where the reconnaissance 155 group of Stormo No. 50 is deployed. In addition to heavy fighters, the Italian Air Force also has light bombers. For example, at 32 stormo in Amendol there are domestic-made AMX assault aircraft, which are equipped with combat training groups Nos. 13 and 101.
The total number was 82 aircraft. In addition, there are another 83 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter planes in Italy's air fleet. Delivered to the republic from the EU. These models are still used as training.
What else is there in the republic's air force?
In addition to multi-purpose fighters and attack bombers, the air forces have the following air units:
- The base patrol aircraft ATR72ASW (1 unit, 4 more ordered) and Atlantic (4 units).
- Three G.223 aircraft carrying out electronic intelligence.
- Four tankers KS-767.
- Transport aircraft S-130J (5 units), S-130J-30 (10) and KS-130J-5 (6 pcs.), S-27J (12), Falcon-900 (5) and Falcon- 50 ”(2), A319 (3 aircraft) and R.180 (4 units).
- Three training M.346 (12 more ordered), SF.260 (30 pcs.), MV.339A / CD / PAN (34, 29 and 18 units.).
- Helicopters HH-3F (21 pcs.), NH500E (49), three AW139 (17 more ordered) and AB212 (33 units).
- Unmanned aerial vehicles RQ-1B and MQ-9A (5 units each).
What is planned by the command of Italy?
According to experts, today the multipurpose AMX and Tornado aircraft are being modernized. In the future, they plan to replace them. Presumably these will be F-35 Lightning II fighter-bombers. This model belongs to the fifth generation air units. Naval aviation will be equipped with models F-35 and F-35A. According to reports, the Air Force command is going to acquire 90 aircraft. However, it is possible that this amount will be reduced. In the future, Atlantic aircraft will be fully replaced. The airspace will be patrolled by the ATR72ASW, the basis for the manufacture of which were passenger air units. In addition, the Air Force Command is updating the fleet of helicopters involved in search and rescue operations.