On 3 August, Boeing and the Directorate for Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) inked an order for the American manufacturer to continue a support relationship with the Italian Air Force.
The partnership will provide full performance-based logistics (PBL), to fully support one of Europe’s most capable air forces, the Italian Air Force’s (ItAF) four Boeing converted 767 tankers or as known as the KC-767A tankers until December 2025.
This evidences a solid working relationship between the two parties – the Italian Air Force Boeing 767 converted tanker has clocked in more than 36,000 flying hours.
Support for Italian Air Force KC-767A
Under this proposed agreement, the American manufacturer will deliver a ‘tip to tail’ full and dedicated support for the four 767 tankers. Services promised by Boeing include line and heavy maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), supply chain management, engineering support, publications revisions, procurement, and flight and maintenance training.
Lt. Gen. Giuseppe Lupoli, Director of DAAA in Rome: “These aircraft are truly a strategic and highly visible Italian national asset. Through the partnership with Boeing, the Italian Air Force aims at having continued high mission readiness and success throughout the 41-month extended PBL agreement period of performance.”
Moreover, since 2011, Boeing has provided ItAF with crucial services. The relationship between the two parties is not at all foreign but enjoyed a long-lasting relationship. The Italian Air Force utilises the four Boeing 767s very effectively with more than 9,000 missions, over 36,000 total airborne times and more than 123 million pounds of fuel fed to fighter jets or related aircraft.
Interestingly, the Italian KC-767 tankers operate at twice the utilisation rate per aircraft compared to other legacy military tankers like the A330F or the C-130s.
Indra Duivenvoorde Senior Director, Boeing Government Services Europe & Israel: “Boeing is committed to strengthening the more than 70-year partnership with the Italian Armed Forces and industry.
We have exceeded our KC-767 strategic partnership requirements and will continue to support the Italian industry under this new contract. And Boeing remains committed to continuing our excellent relationship with the Italian defence forces and industry.”
Lately, the American manufacturing giant continuous enthusiasm and support towards its Italian counterpart can be seen by its assisting of its European counterparts on crucial missions.
This includes Operation Inherent Resolve, the Operation Aquila Omnia evacuation missions from Kabul, Afghanistan and COVID-19-related operations to repatriate Italian citizens and transport vital medical supplies.
Boeing in Italy
Boeing, being an American company has always enjoyed a long-lasting, warm and friendly cooperation with Italy. The two companies have always worked closely in several domains, including defence, space & technology and commercial aviation. In the context of this article, the Italian Air Force has been benefiting from the partnership for over 7 decades.
