Italy to Establish First F-35 Training Center Outside the U.S.
In a significant development for European defense capabilities, Italy has declared that an air force base in Sicily will become the first F-35 training school established outside the United States. This decision reflects a growing need for pilot training following new F-35 orders across Europe.
The Trapani-Birgi Air Base in Sicily has been selected for this ambitious project, which will be supervised by the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO) and Lockheed Martin. According to the Italian defense ministry, ground training is set to commence by December 2028, with the completion of a “Lightning Training Centre” expected by July 2029.
The Italian government is investing €112.6 million ($131.4 million) in this initiative, which will feature two full mission simulators. Trapani-Birgi will also become the Italian Air Force’s third base for housing its own F-35s, comprising one Italian squadron and another dedicated to international trainees.
Currently, Italy’s F-35 bases are located at Amendola and Ghedi. The ministry emphasized that the creation of this new center is a response to “the growing demand for training driven by the increased involvement of NATO and European nations in the (F-35) program.”
Italy has expressed its intention to host the training school to “strengthen the strategic position of Italy inside the program,” making Trapani the “first Pilot Training Center for the F-35 outside the U.S.”
Lockheed Martin has partnered with Italian defense firm Leonardo for the construction of the training facility. This partnership builds on their collaboration on Italy’s Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul, and Upgrade (MRO&U) hub for F-35 aircraft at the Cameri air base in northern Italy.
The Cameri facility has been crucial in the final assembly of F-35 jets for Italy and the Netherlands and now provides maintenance services for jets based in Europe. Operated jointly with Lockheed Martin and the F-35 JPO, Cameri has serviced F-35s from Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands. Additionally, an American F-35 stationed in the U.K. was serviced there last year.
Italy’s advancement in jet pilot training is further demonstrated by its air force-run school at Decimomannu on Sardinia. This school operates 22 M-346 training jets, employs 40 instructors, and has trained pilots from various countries, including Japan, Germany, Canada, the U.K., Saudi Arabia, and Italy itself.
