Italian Navy Achieves Initial Operational Capability with F-35B Fleet

The Italian Navy has announced that its carrier-based F-35B Lightning II fighter fleet has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC). 

Italy now joins the United States and the United Kingdom as one of the few nations operating aircraft carriers with 5th-generation fighter jets and is the only European Union country with such advanced assets in its Carrier Strike Group.

Achieving IOC four months ahead of schedule, the F-35B fleet has logged 2,600 flight hours and over 2,700 maintenance interventions. 

The Italian Navy's GRUPAER, supported by the 32nd Wing of the Italian Air Force, is now capable of conducting defensive and offensive missions, airstrikes, and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses from the carrier ITS Cavour with full logistical autonomy. 

Chief of the Italian Navy Admiral Enrico Credendino stated, "With the IOC, the Maritime Component of Defense takes a significant step forward, enhancing our interoperability and joint operational capabilities with allies."

The Navy is now working towards achieving Full Operational Capability (FOC), expected in the coming years with the delivery of all planned aircraft.

Italy has ordered a total of 30 F-35Bs, split equally between the Navy and Air Force, with an additional 60 F-35As on order for the Air Force, though deliveries are delayed. 

The ITS Cavour's air wing comprises seven AV-8B+, six Italian Navy F-35Bs, two Italian Air Force F-35Bs, three NH-90 helicopters, and one EH-101 helicopter. Since leaving Taranto on June 1, the Cavour Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and frigate ITS Alpino have joined multinational exercises, including the Royal Australian Air Force's Pitch Black and drills with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. The F-35Bs also performed their first AIM-120C5 AMRAAM launches during this deployment.

The Cavour CSG also took part in the Noble Raven 24-3 exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other allied units.