Italy approves first F-35 Pilot Training Centre outside the United States

Italy’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the establishment of a new pilot training centre for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II at Trapani/Birgi Air Base in Sicily. The project, backed by an investment of €113 million, will support the training of F-35 pilots from Italy as well as NATO and European partner nations participating in the programme.

Once operational, the facility will become the first F-35 Pilot Training Centre located outside the US, effectively serving as a European counterpart to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, the primary F-35 training hub.

Construction is expected to begin later this year and will span approximately five years. Initial Operational Capability is scheduled for December 2028, with full operational status anticipated by July 2029.

The project will be delivered through a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Italy’s Leonardo. Lockheed Martin will provide simulators and advanced training systems, while Leonardo will oversee the management of classified engineering data in compliance with US regulations and the security frameworks governing the F-35 programme.

Trapani/Birgi Air Base currently hosts the 18° Gruppo of the 37° Stormo 'Cesare Toschi,' which operates Eurofighter F-2000A and TF-2000A aircraft. The Aeronautica Militare (AMI, Italian Air Force) has also designated the base as a future Main Operating Base (MOB) for the F-35.

The choice of Trapani/Birgi is notable due to its dual-use status as both a military and civilian airfield. This arrangement could result in the F-35 training centre sharing runways and infrastructure with civilian air traffic, a relatively uncommon setup for a fifth-generation fighter training facility.

Credit photo: Aeronautia Militare