The Italian defence ministry is defining with Boeing a contract to buy four airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, reportedly of the 737 series. The US company is completing an offer covering the supply of three 737 AEW&C aircraft and an option for one more, plus related support systems, to be presented to the Italian ministry in early August, say defence sources.
The Boeing offer is likely to contain provision for the participation of Italian industry in the 737 AEW&C programme, much as occurred with the sale of four KC-767A tankers to the Italian air force. Industrial offsets totalling 100% of the procurement cost were agreed on the KC-767A, with work shared among 15 Italian companies, including Alenia Aeronautica and Officine Aeronavali. Contracts awarded to Italian industry under the tanker deal are targeted to reach $165 million, $331 million and $496 million after three, six and eight years respectively. Italy has long sought an organic AEW&C capacity for its armed forces, in addition to its participation in the NATO E-3 AWACS programme. The new AEW&C aircraft could support Italy’s rapid reaction forces and non-NATO military deployments, as well as enhance national airspace defence and regional crisis control.
Despite having previously been linked with smaller AEW&C systems such as Northrop Grumman’s E-2C Hawkeye 2000, the selection of a 737-based solution similar to that already chosen by Australia and Turkey could offer platform commonality with Boeing’s P-8A Multi-mission Maritime Aircraft. The type is under consideration as a replacement for Italy’s Dassault-Bréguet Atlantic maritime patrols under a requirement for six to eight aircraft.
PINO MODOLA / GENOA
Source: Flight International
