Use of the Sigonella air base for the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran falls outside of the scope of agreements, requiring parliamentary approval in Rome.
The M-345 HET, the latest jet trainer to be developed by Italy’s Leonardo-Finmeccanica, will be acquired by the Italian Air Force this year once the Italian government releases initial development funding.
Qatar is expected to sign a letter of agreement with Italy on Thursday for the planned purchase of four corvettes and a support vessel from Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
With the release of final funding this year, Italy is due to achieve a minimum capability with its MEADS antimissile system, capping a long and sometimes fraught development program.