Italian Air Force

The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) is structured to ensure national air defense while also supporting expeditionary and coalition operations. Its organization is centered on three major commands: the Air Fleet Command (Comando della Squadra Aerea), Logistics Command, and the Schools Command. The Air Fleet Command is the operational arm, controlling combat forces, air mobility and support units, special operations, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets. This structure ensures that units are equipped and trained for combat duties and can be controlled effectively during operations.

Italy’s strategic doctrine is firmly rooted in its commitment to NATO and collective defense. The core missions revolve around the defense of the Euro-Atlantic area, contributions to international security, and ensuring national sovereignty. Historically focused on tactical support and air defense, the doctrine has evolved to emphasize interoperability, agility, and the ability to project power. This is reflected in an increasing focus on integrated, multi-domain operations, with significant attention given to developing capabilities in the space and cyber domains. The air force aims to field a balanced force capable of contributing to the full spectrum of air and space power.

Recent years have seen the Italian Air Force actively engaged in coalition operations. It is a significant contributor to NATO's enhanced Air Policing missions on the eastern flank, deploying Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35 jets to the Baltic region, Romania, and Poland. The service regularly participates in high-intensity international exercises, such as Pitch Black in Australia and Red Flag in the US, demonstrating a growing long-range deployment capability. Other deployments include providing air-to-air refueling and ISR assets for the anti-ISIS coalition in Kuwait and conducting training and support missions in Lebanon and Niger. These detachments came under fire in 2026: an Iranian strike on Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait in March destroyed an Italian MQ-9A and damaged two Eurofighters, and a Houthi attack on King Fahd Air Base in Saudi Arabia in September damaged another Eurofighter.

To maintain its capabilities, the Italian Air Force is undergoing a significant modernization process, centered on the continued acquisition of the F-35 Lightning II (in both A and B variants) and the procurement of new, more advanced Tranche 4 Eurofighter Typhoons to replace older aircraft. A key investment is the development of a sophisticated C4ISTAR capability based on the Gulfstream G550 platform in various configurations for airborne early warning and electronic attack, complemented by two EA-37B Compass Call electronic-attack aircraft ordered in July 2025 and six Airbus A330 MRTT tanker-transports ordered in April 2026. Furthermore, Italy is a core partner in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to develop a 6th generation fighter. The trainer fleet is also being enhanced with additional M-346 aircraft, aligning pilot training with the capabilities of front-line combat jets.