Higher bill for the purchase of 115 F-35 fighters: 7.3 billion more needed

An increase in costs, and in particular 7.28 billion euros more than the approximately 13.5 billion euros budgeted and authorized in 2009, for the program which involves the acquisition of F-35 fighters and the strengthening of the technological industrial hub of Cameri (Novara).

This is what is foreseen in the draft decree of the Ministry of Defense which the government sent to the defense commissions of the House and Senate on 30 October. The latter are called to express an opinion by 13 December. With this provision the executive requests the refinancing of the 2009 program aimed at the acquisition of the fifth generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and the strengthening of the associated industrial technological center of Cameri (NO). The increased spending arises from the necessary review of safety requirements, from the increase in costs for technological upgrades of the F-35, from the changes in inflation and the euro/dollar exchange rate recorded in recent years. Finally, for the consolidation of the industrial capabilities and support infrastructures of the Cameri hub.

The F-35 program has a multi-year development plan. The expected start-up is in 2027 and completion in 2039. In 2009, an investment of approximately 13.5 billion euros (at the time approximately 17.7 billion dollars) was envisaged, of which approximately 12.9 billion for the JSF weapon system and approximately 0.6 billion for the FACO/MRO&U line, i.e. the aeronautical industrial line that integrates assembly, testing and maintenance support activities for aircraft. Now the decree submitted for opinion provides for a total discounted burden of 20,844.6 million euros, under 2026 economic conditions, with an increase of 7,279.6 million euros compared to the previous financial framework.

In the Multiannual Programmatic Document (DPP) for Defense for the three-year period 2025-2027, on page. 25 of the Annex, the program titled "F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF)" is reported which provides for the acquisition of the F-35 fifth generation weapon system. It specifies that, against the initial requirement of 131 aircraft, the acquisition of 115 aircraft is envisaged, of which 75 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) for the Air Force and 40 F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) divided equally between the Air Force and the Navy.