Italian and Turkish Air Force to Enhance Mutual Cooperation

Defence Turkey General, first of all thank you very much for this interview. Could you give us some information on the achievements and developments accomplished in Italian Air Force in recent years?

The need for the Air Force is to be dynamically adaptable to the changes. It is necessary a transformation, already in progress, in order to be prepared in front of the mutability of scenarios and of consequent, likely options of intervention. With regard to the Italian Air Force (ItAF), the overall concept of its transformation is inspired to an Air Force agile, flexible, interoperable, projectable, highly technological, and, above all, professionally prepared and ethically inspired. An Air Force able to match the fulfilment of the ‘traditional’ tasks, such as the defence of the national air space also towards new threats, with the new expectations and need of security for the Country, which come from the general contest of relations and international alliances. We are achieving this by reducing and concentrating the combat activities on a smaller number of Main Operating Bases (MOB), while at the same time dismissing infrastructures which are no more functional to our core business.

We have reached a high level of joint and expeditionary characterization able to guarantee both the achievement of the institutional tasks and the constitution and employment, in joint and multinational contests, of Air Expeditionary Task Forces (AETF) agile, interoperable, and equipped with an effective system of Command, Control, Communication, Computer Applications, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (C4ISTAR).

Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector, along with a decade of experience in Afghanistan, have proved the validity of these concepts and testify we are on the right path.

Defence Turkey Could you please inform us about the structure of Italian Air Force?

ItAF organization, headed by the Air Force Chief of Staff (four-star General) is currently based on a General Staff, three Major Commands, Intermediate Commands, Air Brigades and Wings.

The Air Force General Staff (in Italian Stato Maggiore Aeronautica - SMA) is headed by the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff, a three-star General, and is located in Rome. The Air Staff supports the ItAF Chief of Staff for planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling the activities of the Air Force in all sectors.

The three Major Commands are the Air Force Operational Forces Command, the Air Force Logistics and Materials Command and the Air Force Education and Training Command.

The Air Force Operational Forces Command (in Italian Comando della Squadra Aerea - CSA),located in Rome, is the force provider of Air Power. It operates combat and support aircrafts and also provides command and control, communications and intelligence systems. As Air Force provider, CSA organizes trains and maintains combat readiness of its assets for rapid employment whenever and wherever deemed necessary by the Italian Government. CSA constantly ensures air defence of Italian and NATO skies. For actual missions its units are commanded and controlled by Air Force Operations Command, which is part of CSA.

The Air Force Logistics and Materials Command (in Italian Comando Logistico - CL) located in Rome, provides logistic support and conducts research, development, tests and evaluations necessary to sustain and keep ItAF weapon systems ready to be used. CL delivers indispensable expeditionary capabilities to Air Force, and in a Joint vision, contributes to those of all other Services.

The Air Force Education and Training Command (in Italian Comando Scuole A.M.- CSAM) located in Bari, recruits, trains and educates airmen to power the Air Force. CSAM holds vital stakes and responsibilities for delivering high skilled personnel who is capable of handling in a very effective and efficient ways not only cutting-edge technologies but, in broader terms, all challenges the Air Force faces.

At the peripheral echelon of ItAF there are Intermediate Commands, Air Brigades, Wings and Squadrons which execute tasks and conduct operations. The Wing is the basic unit for delivering Air Power. It is, usually, composed by one Headquarter, one or two Flight Squadrons, and other Squadrons which provide communication and logistic support.

Defence Turkey: What are Italian Air Force international activities and programs? 

Just for citing only a few important international activities:

- Integrated Air Policing

As a NATO member Nation, Italy is contributing to the Integrated Air Policing initiative with its EF-2000 Squadrons. We did it in 2013 protecting skies above Iceland, we are doing it present day over Slovenia and Albania, and we will do it in the Baltics next year.

- Pooling & Sharing

Today, ItAF is a leading Nation with respect to air to air refuelling and airlift capabilities thanks to the new KC-767, C130J and C27J fleet, which have been offered to other European Partners as part of the Pooling & Sharing initiative. Italy has also been invited to become part of EACT.

- NRF

Italian Air Force is deeply committed to the process of validating the Joint Force Air Component Command (JFACC) capacity to be offered to NATO NRF rotation 2016.

- Out-of-Area Operations

Following ONU’s Resolutions and NATO’s initiatives endorsed by International Community ItAF is an important contributor to Out-of-Area Operations, mainly in countries like Afghanistan, Lebanon and Balkans.

- Pilot Training Program

ItAF is restructuring its pilot training program in order to increase specialization, while saving money. Our train will focus on the mission our pilots shall accomplish in the future and is twofolded: 1) delivering to the pilots the ability to fly in the new Single European Sky; 2) flying their aircrafts according to Lessons Identified and Lessons Learned in operations.

The pivot of this process is the acquisition of the new, Italian-built M-346 jet trainer, which has already been bought also by Singapore and Israel. The M-346 will be assigned to the 61st Training Wing (in Italian 61° Stormo), which is located in Galatina, in the south of Italy where sun shines 365 days guaranteeing a perfect environment for conducting flight training the M-346 is part of an Italian-built Integrated Training System optimized for the different phases of the syllabus, which also includes an Academic Training System, a Flight Training Device and a Full Mission Simulator. Thanks to this Integrated Training System, which is capable of further reducing time, increasing security, and improving overall skill capabilities, Galatina Air Base will enhance the quality and the quantity of its training potential, in order to offer it to a greater number of foreign customers, continuing its long tradition of training pilots from other countries.

Looking at programs:

- SF-260TP

SF-260TP is the turboprop variant of the classic SF-260 family which has accumulated thousands flight hours with many Air Forces and several civil operators. SF-260TP offers excellent teaching effectiveness as a fully aerobatic screener-primary training.

- M-345

In the Air Force we live the future and we must plan in advance of it: MB-339 is at the end of its life and M-345 might be the right choice for replacing it at a low cost of acquisition and operation. M-345 is the new basic-advanced lightweight fast jet trainer with costs comparable to those of turboprop but capable of delivering jet performances. Italian MoD recently signed a “Letter of Intent” with Alenia Aermacchi supporting the Industry for developing and delivering the M-345 in 2017. The Air Force is involved in the development because, in this sector, synergies have become fundamental. M-345 should teach pilots how to fly, and then they move to the M-346, which will teach them how to fight.

- M-346

Today the M-346 is the most advanced lead-in fighter trainer. M-346 is representative of 4th and 5th  generation fighters. It’s an integrated training system for forging a new cadre of pilots with a considerable downsizes of the syllabus, capable of delivering to them the required skills of information management and aircraft handling. ItAF will use M-346 for advanced phases of training before final assignment of new pilots to fast jet front lines, namely F-35 and EF-2000. I think M-346 is a great airplane which, maybe along with M-345, will be the backbone of Air Forces of the future.

- F-35

JSF can be considered as the most important program ItAF undertook ever. The F-35 fulfills a huge spectrum of missions, in confirmation of the remarkable versatility of the aircraft, executing operational tasks of deep projection of the Air Power, suppression of enemy air defences and contribution to the achievement of the air superiority. Moreover, it can offer an excellent close support to the ground forces and execute a decisive action of gathering, elaboration and distribution of data, thanks to its extraordinary sophisticated sensors.

In addition to the necessary acquisition of a 5th generation combat aircraft with innovative planning, constructive and operational characteristics, and the JSF program holds a strategic importance for development of Italy itself. On the Italian Air Force base of Cameri, in fact, it has been built a Final Assembly and Check Out facility (FACO), where also Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul & Upgrade (MRO&U) will be conducted. It is the only one out of the USA and poses Italy as a good choice for other European F-35 Customers for sustaining their fleet.

- EF-2000

Italy is a key member of the Eurofighter Typhoon consortium. ItAF uses the Typhoon as the main Nation’s asset for air defence. EF-2000 is a world leading air defence aircraft, a battle proven fighter which delivers highest performances with an invaluable level of interoperability and reliability. Typhoon provides uncompromised air superiority in any scenario.

 

 

HH-139 – HH-101

The Agusta Westland HH-139 is a new generation helicopter selected by the Air Force to gradually replace the current HH-3F and HH-212. The HH-139 is a solution identified on the market to continue to ensure efficiently the Search and Rescue service, both in favour of crew and military personnel in distress, as an institutional task, and for supporting activities to the community in case of needs. HH-139 allows important synergies – training, logistic and operational – within the joint and interagency environment. In the near future the HH-101 will also enter into service supporting Combat SAR/Special Operation Missions. The HH101 has been developed from the AW101, which is a medium/heavy multi-role platform with extensive operational experience already gained with other Air Services. Its performances coupled with advanced avionics and mission system suite makes it relevant in future scenarios.

- C-27J – C27J JEDI

The C-27J is a truly multi-functional, military aircraft built for tactical transport and to support combat operations. Ordered by ten countries including the United States, the C-27J has been successfully deployed to Afghanistan by ItAF, operating in the most complex and challenging environments, including operations from unpaved runways with excellent results in terms of technical reliability and operational performance. The C-27J JEDI (Jamming and Electronic Defence Implementation) is an homemade program for Electronic Warfare, part of the more complex Cyber warfare, which has proved to be vital for safety and security of troops on the ground as demonstrated by the experience we are making in Afghanistan. C-27J is great airplane under any aspect and we are investing a lot in this program. Thanks to roll on – roll off equipment the airplane can be easily and quickly reconfigured for different tasks, from airlift to JEDI and Airborne Command and Control capable also of active engage if needed.

- MEADS

The International Program MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defence System), to which Italy has signed with a major share, will in the near future replace the decommissioned system ‘Nike Hercules’, and will provide greater protection for the forces on the ground and flexibility, with a critical structure for national defence against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and UAV/UCAV1. Its open architecture will provide a configurable air defence according to the mission or national requirements, with significant cost savings.

- ISTAR (Predator, P72)

Ten years ago Italy, first among European Nations, decided to invest in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles acquiring the MQ-1 Predator, which immediately proved to be crucial for operations conducted on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan where we are currently using the new MQ-9 Reaper.

P72 will be another pillar of the ISTAR capacity. The airplane will mainly deliver Maritime Surveillance capability but, thanks to its sophisticated blend of state of the art sensors, it can operate as an effective and efficient ISR platform. P72 is a program which holds opportunities for important synergies among Turkey and Italy.

- AEW

Airborne Early Warning capacity is relevant to modern operations. Therefore, Italy decided to exploit synergies recently with Israel for acquiring an independent AEW-BM&C2 capacity with the G-550. Thanks to this capacity Italy will contribute in the most effectively in all the foreseeable scenarios from homeland security to Non-Article V Operations.

Defence Turkey: How do you assess Italian and Turkish Air Force military cooperation and activities?

Since the very beginning of NATO, Turkish and Italian Air Force have been cooperating in a very satisfying manner, enhancing mutual confidence and paving the way to better knowledge between our people. 

Our Air Forces have been training continuously in many sectors such as Air Defence, Electronic Warfare, and Search & Rescue. Even though recent budgetary restraints reduced opportunities for sharing training, reciprocal respect, high level of integration and interoperability led to successful exchange and sharing of ideas and doctrines.

Thanks to this durable and fruitful cooperation Turkish Air Force units rapidly deploy and smoothly operate from Italian airbases during critical Operations like those over the Balkans at the end of 1990s and, recently, during Unified Protector. As the same ItAF units have smoothly operated from Turkish airports during important exercises like Anatolian Eagle.

Defence Turkey: Could you inform us about the officers’ exchange programs, training programs and exercises carried out and be planned between two countries?

So far Turkish and Italian Air Force have shared productive training within NATO contest not yet establishing bilateral exchange programs. But, because the future compels our Countries to better exploit our resources in order to be more relevant for facing threats laying in front of us, while saving money, we shouldn’t lose opportunities for better sharing activities and programs Forces with respect to any type of aircraft, platform or equipment we use.

Defence Turkey: Turkey and Italy have common programs like JSF. How do you assess industrial cooperation within this program between Turkey and Italy?

At the moment there is no established industrial cooperation related to the F-35 multinational program, but there are contacts ongoing to determine whether common activities can be identified in the field of aircraft production and fleet sustainment. As already said, in Italy, Lockheed Martin/Alenia Aermacchi Final Assembly and Check Out facility is already working on both complete wing production and aircraft assembly, in a brand new 125.000 square meters industrial site based at Cameri AFB, where in the future F-35 Maintenance Repair Overhaul & Upgrade (MR&O) will be established to provide the highest quality standards.

Defence Turkey: You met with Turkish Air Commander during your visit to Ankara in early February. What Topics were discussed during the meeting? Did you take any mutual decision on future industrial cooperation and programs?

ItAF is firmly convinced, as are other reference Countries in Europe, that it is essential to involve Turkey’s Defence Administration in high-tech projects, to be developed outside of the usual background of cooperation (i.e. U.S.A., N.A.T.O.). An example of such involvement could be the participation in the definition and building an exclusively continental anti-aircraft, anti-missile Defence System.

Defence Turkey: As it is well known that Italian Telespazio Company carries out Göktürk Satellite program with Turkish TAI Company in Turkey. Two parts gain experience on joint cooperation within this program. Could this industrial cooperation on space be transformed to a more comprehensive and extensive program between 2 Air Forces?

Cooperation and team work is a key factor. We should never stop searching for cooperation opportunities especially in dealing among Allies operating in the European Mediterranean environment. Common operational requirements may lead to interesting developments for the Turkish and the Italian industries.

Defence Turkey: Finally, would you like to give any messages to our readers?

Precision of engagement and precision of effects is what we must strive for, to operate in the modern, complex and very dynamic operational environment. NATO needs effective intelligence, quick and reliable information flow, effective and sustainable operational capabilities. Fighters must rely on leading edge technology made available in training and in real operations supported by a strong logistics and fast deployment capabilities.

What we must have, besides technology is, high quality, well-motivated personnel operating interoperable 4th and 5th generation weapon systems to project Air Power where needed to preserve stability and security from the sky and space sharing experiences, resources and capabilities to be more effective at the lowest possible price for tax payers.