A report published on the RAI News website points out that the acquisition has already been approved by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), and only Congressional approval is needed to finalize the deal.
The purchase primarily involves the supply of approximately one hundred AGM-158B/B-2 air-to-surface missiles, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the report specifies.
A statement from the US State Department argues that this sale of military equipment to Italy “will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by enhancing the security of a NATO ally.”
At the end of 2024, Italy announced the purchase of another 25 F-35 fighter-bombers, bringing its fleet of these aircraft, the largest in Europe, to 115 aircraft of the F-35A and F-35B versions, distributed between its Air Force and Navy.
These aircraft replaced the Tornado and AV-8B Harrier II, the statement adds.
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