United States Department of Defense News Release On the web: Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131 Public contact: http://www.dod.mil/faq/comment.html or +1 (703) 428-0711

The government of Italy has requested a possible sale of four F-16A Block 10 operational capabilities upgrade (OCU) aircraft for cannibalization, four Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-200 spare engines, four AN/APG-66 radar sets, spare and repair parts, devices, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering and logistics personnel services and other related elements of logistics support. The estimated cost is $780 million.

This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the military capabilities of Italy and further weapon system standardization and interoperability with U.S. forces.

Italy will use the F-16A Block 10 OCU aircraft to maintain a continuous air defense capability and upgrade/modernize their current fleet. This proposed sale will support a potential lease of F-16A/B aircraft that will provide the capability Italy requires to perform its air defense mission and be a viable air defense provider for their NATO commitments. The Italian Air Force has chosen the F-16A aircraft as their choice to provide this capability until they make a decision on a defense platform to modernize their force. Italy will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not affect the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas, and Pratt and Whitney, East Hartford, Conn. There are no offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of two U.S. government and 117 contractor representatives for five years to Italy.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

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