Defense Minister Francken wants to order extra F-35s in Italy
Defense minister Theo Francken (N-VA) has asked his Italian colleague whether the extra F-35 combat aircraft that wants to order our country can be built in Italy, and not in the US. That would also yield European jobs, says Francken on Monday in an interview with The latest news.
Source: Belga
Today at 6:28 AM
In 2018, Franckens predecessor Steven Vandeput (N-VA) ordered 34 F-35s from the American Lockheed Martin. Those fighter aircraft are built in the US, in Fort Worth in Texas. The first devices are now ready and the training courses for the pilots are fully engaged in Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
But if it depends on this government, additional combat aircraft will soon be purchased, the coalition agreement already said. According to Francken, there is no doubt that that should be the F-35. “I do have the Italian defense minister (Guido Crosetto, ed.) asked if we can produce it in Italy and not in the US. That would also yield European jobs ”, it sounds in the newspaper. Whether the F-35s built in Europe count as a European purchase-a requirement of the EU to be allowed to borrow more money for defense-is unclear.
The assembly of the F-35 is done in the Italian cameri. According to Francken there is still capacity available.
