Introduction

The Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) leased 34 F-16A/B (mostly Block 15 ADF variants) as a stop-gap solution untill delivery of the Eurofighter Typhoon. When the 121 EF2000 Typhoons enter service, they will replace the F-16s.

History

Since the early nineties, the Italian Air Force has eagerly been seeking a replacement for its vintage Aeritalia F-104S Starfighters. Its intended replacement is the Eurofighter Typhoon. Since this program has been running behind schedule for a few years, the Italian air force needed a stop-gap solution. Because the AMI possesses a vast number of Tornado IDS planes, they decided to lease 24 Tornado ADV fighters from the RAF for a 10-year period. This lease ended in 2003 so a replacement was sought. At first the AMI opted to extend the lease period with another 10 years. This proved to be too expensive, so the Italian government turned to the US. The requirement was for a fighter that could perform the air defense mission for 5 to 10 years, until the arrival of the Typhoon.

Inventory

Peace Caesar

On March 15th, 2001 the Italian government signed an LOA for a 5-year lease (with an option on another 5 years) of 34 F-16s and four spare airframes, in a deal worth up to $777 million over a 10-year period. The aircraft were delivered between July 2003 and November 2004. In total, 30 F-16A ADFs as well as 1 F-16B ADF and 3 F-16B Block 5 & 10's will be delivered. Four more planes will be provided for use as spare parts.

Before delivery to Italy, the aircraft are brought out of storage at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz. and transfered to the Ogden ALC at Hill AFB, Utah, where they undergo 220 days of refurbishment and upgrades.

The Falcons are given a complete refurbishment, which complied with all technical compliance-technical orders that have changed since the aircraft was placed in stasis in Arizona. The depot teams at Hill AFB did structural modifications including Falcon-Up, which replaces particular bulkheads and the structural life improvement program, which strengthens holes around the fuel cell panels and wheel wells by compressing the molecules with 30,000 pounds of pressure. The wings were removed and the bulkhead furthest aft that holds the vertical wing was replaced. The landing gear was refurbished and its bulkhead was also replaced.

The flight controls actuators are replaced with new actuators. In addition the computers and instruments that provide the Falcon its technological edge are removed, sent to the appropriate facilities to be tested then repaired if necessary. All equipment that is a time change item and that has less than a full year's worth of service left is changed.

Approximately 100 Italian Air Force maintenance officers, instructors and technicians are receiving F-16 maintenance training at Lockheed Martin facilities in Fort Worth, Texas.

AMI Inventory

Program	Model	Block	Qty.	Serials	Delivered
Peace Caesar	F-16A	Block 15ADF	26	MM7236/MM7265	2003-2004
	F-16B	Block 15ADF	1	MM7268	2003-2004
	F-16B	Block 5/10	3	MM7266, MM7267, MM7269	2003-2004
	F-16A	Block 10	4	79389, 80474, 80515	2003-2004

Operational Service

Units

Please refer to the F-16 Units section for an overview of units.