There is still uncertainty about the number of F-35 fighters that Italy should buy: the current threshold of 90 was independently proposed by the Defense Ministry, but there is a previous parliamentary commitment for 131 specimens. It will therefore be the Chambers that will have to express themselves on the final quota. Defense Minister Mario Mauro explained this this morning during his visit to the Le Bourget aerospace show in Paris.
The minister once again defended the usefulness of the multilateral project both in general and quantitative terms. Mauro stated that “the question to ask is whether we need a military aviation: I think so and with 90 planes we would do the job of 250. The program can offer many opportunities, I hope that the parliamentary dialogue can deepen them. In terms of economic and strategic returns, order makes sense above a certain threshold”.
The minister then said he was calm about the government holding on to the controversy linked to the F35, given that the Democratic Party approved the project, voting for it in Parliament. Only 14 (out of 160 signatories) democratic deputies have signed the motion for the reduction or total abandonment of the program.
