Sicily will become the first location outside the United States to train F-35 fighter jet pilots, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto announced on Wednesday.
Speaking during a visit to the Decimomannu air base near Cagliari in Sardinia, Crosetto said, “Sicily will be the first place outside the United States where F-35 pilots will be trained.”
The minister underscored Italy’s unique role in the global F-35 programme, noting that the country is already home to the only assembly line for the advanced fighter jets outside the US, located in Cameri, near Novara in the northern Piedmont region.
“The future is not built by limiting ourselves to defence,” Crosetto said. “It is built by making defence a driver of social, economic and technological innovation — and this is a prime example of that.”
Italy is a key partner in the multinational F-35 programme, led by US defence giant Lockheed Martin. The country has invested heavily in the project, with Italian aerospace group Leonardo playing a significant role in the production and assembly of the aircraft.
The decision to establish the new training centre in Sicily further consolidates Italy’s position within the F-35 programme and reflects its strategic ambitions within NATO and the broader transatlantic defence framework.
The Decimomannu-based IFTS, a joint venture between the Italian Air Force and aerospace firm Leonardo, currently employs over 400 staff (80% from Sardinia), and trains pilots from 13 countries. The multi-generation syllabus employs “Live Virtual Constructive” (LVC) systems that integrate ground simulators with M‑346 trainer jets.
Crosetto explained that the success of IFTS with M‑346 aircraft — also exported to nations like Singapore and Israel — provides a blueprint for expanding the model to the F‑35 in Sicily. “This school … can grow exponentially and we want to replicate it for F‑35s in Sicily,” he said.
Meanwhile, the defence planning document for 2024–2026 foresees the acquisition of 15 additional F‑35s — some destined for Decimomannu — at a projected cost of €18 billion. This will elevate the Sardinian base from a training hub to an operational centre supporting fifth-generation aircraft deployments .
Despite speculation that the F‑35 training base might be located elsewhere in southern Italy, Crosetto confirmed Sicily as the chosen site. However, Decimomannu will continue its existing mission training 4th‑ and 5th‑generation pilots, and will host missile testing and joint naval-air exercises .
The broader strategy reinforces Italy’s strategic position within NATO and the transatlantic defence architecture. Crosetto underscored that “a strong defence is essential for democracy” and cited national firms Leonardo and Fincantieri as key contributors to the social and economic benefits derived from defence investments.
