The Italian air force has accepted its first BGT-developed IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile into service for training use by ground technicians and personnel at its flight-test centre. Italy is participating in the six-nation IRIS-T programme with a 16% share and has committed to buying 444 missiles to replace Raytheon's AIM-9L Sidewinder. The new weapon will equip the air force's Eurofighter Typhoon strike aircraft.
Source: Flight International