New Military Base In Italy For The F-35A Nuclear FS Under USA Command
At the military airport of Ghedi (Brescia), work is beginning to build the main operational base for the Italian Air Force's F-35A fighters armed with nuclear bombs. Next to the new fighters, the new US B61-12 nuclear bombs will be located at Ghedi, in a secret warehouse that does not appear in the contract. The B61-12s will be controlled by the special US unit (704th Munitions Support Squadron of the U.S. Air Force), "responsible for the receipt, storage and maintenance of weapons from the U.S. War Reserve for the Italian Air Force's 6th NATO Wing".
The same U.S. Air Force unit has the task of "directly supporting the 6th Wing's attack mission". Italian pilots have already been trained, at Luke's Arizona airbase in Arizona and Eglin in Florida, to use the F-35As also for nuclear attack missions under US command.
The new F-35A fighter aircraft and the new nuclear bomb B61-12 constitute an integrated weapon system: the use of the aircraft involves the use of the bomb. Defence Minister Guerini (PD - left imperialist wing) confirmed that Italy remains committed to purchasing 90 F-35 fighters, 60 of which are model A nuclear-capable aircraft. The participation in the F-35 programme, as a second level partner, strengthens Italy's anchoring in the United States.
At the same time, Italy - a non-nuclear state adhering to the Non-Proliferation Treaty which prohibits it from having nuclear weapons on its territory - plays the increasingly dangerous role of the advanced basic US/NATO nuclear strategy against Russia and other countries.
THE PRICE
In May 2020, the US Congress Research Service estimates the average price of a F-35 in 108 million dollars, specifying however that it is "the price of the aircraft without engine", whose cost is about 22 million. Once an F-35 has been purchased, even at a lower price as Lockheed Martin promises for the future, expenditure begins on its continuous modernisation, crew training and use. One hour's flight time for an F-35A - documents the US Air Force - costs over $42,000.
V.D.
Dogan Presse Agence
Poste similare
