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Italy opts against F-35 fighter early phase role
Italy has decided against taking part for now in a coming stage of the international F-35 fighter aircraft programme, Lockheed Martin Corp, the primary contractor, said on Friday.
- Reuters
- Published: 23:29 October 11, 2008
Washington: Italy has decided against taking part for now in a coming stage of the international F-35 fighter aircraft programme, Lockheed Martin Corp, the primary contractor, said on Friday.
"Italy was studying the possibility of joining the F-35 Initial Operational Test and Evaluation phase but has elected not to participate at this time," the Bethesda, Maryland-based company said in an e-mailed statement.
The F-35 is a family of radar-evading fighters designed to replace aircraft of the United States and eight co-development partners, including Italy, as well as other potential buyers. It is the costliest US arms program ever at a projected $299 billion.
Italian officials had been considering early purchases of two F-35A models for operational test and evaluation. The officials had been weighing buying one as early as fiscal 2009, with a second the following year.
Italy's decision to steer clear for now would not affect planned yearly increases in F-35 production quantities, said Cheryl Amerine, a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman.
Officials at the Italian embassy in Washington had no immediate comment.
Amerine said she did not know the reason Italy had opted against taking part in the operational test and evaluation phase.
"Italy remains a strong partner in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, and will continue as a full participant in F-35 flight test activities," she said.
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