24 June 2002
Defense Official Briefs on U.S.-Italy Joint Strike Fighter Agreement
(Italy an international partner with the U.S. in JSF program) (3410)
The United States and Italy signed documents in Washington June 24
formalizing Italy's participation in the system development and
demonstration (SDD) phase of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program.
Under Secretary of Defense Pete Aldridge noted that Italy has been
part of the JSF program since 1998 in the Concept Demonstration Phase,
and it now joins the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark,
and Norway as a partner with the United States in the program.
Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Italian Secretary General of Defense and
National Armaments Director, signed the Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) for his country. "The Joint Strike Fighter program represents
for Italy, the United States, and the other participants in this
project a significant step forward in the way of modernizing our air
capability," he said, adding that for the first time defense officials
from many allied nations and the aerospace industry are "working
together as a joint team to develop a most effective and affordable
system."
Di Paola stressed that Italy continues to support the Eurofighter
program as well. Italy is "in the procurement phase of 121
Eurofighters, we will continue with that," he said. "Our plan is to
have basically two major aircraft for our air power requirements" --
the Eurofighter and the Joint Strike Fighter -- and "the two programs
are complementary from an operational point of view and also from an
industrial point of view."
"We have strongly supported the strong industry-to-industry
relationship across the Atlantic which we believe will be beneficial
for our industry, and ... beneficial to European industry," he said.
"We are partners not only in operation, we are partners also in
technological development. I believe in a strong Europe, I believe in
a strong trans-Atlantic cooperation."
Aldridge said the JSF program "provides a unique opportunity to forge
closer technological ties among partner nations' industries.
Industry-to-industry cooperation on the JSF is a reality and will
continue to grow and mature, fortifying associations that will carry
throughout production and post-production relationships for 30 to 40
years or longer.
"The program return to cooperative partners is not measured just in
dollars or euros but in skillful interoperative forces capable of
conducting and supporting actions worldwide."
There is "a global struggle to counter terrorism," Aldridge continued.
"Italy has long dealt with this menace and knows firsthand the
importance of cooperation in halting and defeating terrorism. Our
common resolve to continue cooperative efforts against a common enemy
is embodied within this ceremony."
The Italian government will invest $1,028 million [Euro 1,090 million]
in the SDD phase of the JSF program.
A JSF agreement is also expected to be signed with Turkey in July.
Following is a DOD transcript of the briefing on the signing of the
Italian-American Memorandum of Understanding for the Joint Strike
Fighter Development Program:
(begin transcript)
U.S. Department of Defense News Briefing
Edward C. "Pete" Aldridge, USD (AT&L)
Monday, June 24, 2002 -- 12 p.m. EDT
(Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United
States and Italy regarding participation in the Joint Strike Fighter
(JSF) System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase. Also
participating was Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, Italian Secretary
General of Defense and National Armaments Director, and program
director for the Joint Strike Fighter General Jack Hudson.)
Hudson: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am Brigadier General
Jack Hudson, Program Director for the Joint Strike Fighter.
I have the great honor and privilege today to introduce two gentlemen
who have had and continue to have a very profound impact on the JSF
program. These two gentlemen completed the negations for the
Italian-American Memorandum of Understanding for the Joint Strike
Fighter Development Program. The MOU signing is the event that brings
us here today.
First, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola. He is the Italian Secretary General
Of Defense and National Armaments Director. He has been a tremendous
advocate for the JSF program in Italy. His keen energy and vision have
been instrumental for the completion of the negotiations for the
Italian-American Joint Strike Fighter Development MOU.
Secondly, Mr. Pete Aldridge from the United States. He is the American
Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics.
He also has been a tremendous advocate for the Joint Strike Fighter
program. His keen energy and vision have also been instrumental to the
completion of negotiations for the Italian-American Joint Strike
Fighter Development MOU, and to the very successful conduct of the
overall Joint Strike Fighter program.
It is fitting that these two gentlemen are here today for the signing
of the Joint Strike Fighter Italian-American Development MOU which
continues the close ties in the Italian-American partnering
relationship established in the previous phase of the Joint Strike
Fighter program.
Mr. Aldridge, sir, the floor is yours.
Aldridge: Thank you Jack. Good morning everybody, I'm glad to be back
again as we sign up another partner for the Joint Strike Fighter.
I'd first like to introduce a couple of people who are here today;
Ambassador Salio is the Italian Ambassador to the United States. We're
glad to have him. Of course you've already been introduced to Admiral
Di Paola. Admiral Bartoli who is the Chief of the R&D. Major General
Bernadis who is on the Italian Air Staff. Major General Fario who is
an Attaché here at the Italian Embassy. And Minister Nardi, who is the
Minister of Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Italian Embassy.
I am honored that Admiral Di Paola has come to Washington to join in
the signing of the U.S.-Italian Memorandum of Understanding documents
for a Level 2 partnership in the Systems Development and Demonstration
or SDD phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program. Since 1998 with the
Concept Demonstration Phase Italy has played a very important role in
the program. Today Italy joins the U.K., the Netherlands, Canada,
Denmark and Norway as the sixth SDD partner. We expect to round out
the partnership team with a Level 3 SDD partnership agreement with
Turkey in July.
The vision of an affordable, lethal, survivable and supportable strike
fighter aircraft is shared by the Italian Air Force and Navy as they
plan to meet the post-2001 threat. With the early recognition of these
attributes, this partnership provides Italy with the opportunity to be
at the forefront of aerospace technology and aircraft capabilities
throughout the JSF development. The Ministry of Defense's early and
continued involvement in the JSF highlights the benefits that
participation in the JSF development holds for Italian and allied
force structure planning.
The JSF program provides a unique opportunity to forge closer
technological ties among partner nations' industries.
Industry-to-industry cooperation on the JSF is a reality and will
continue to grow and mature, fortifying associations that will carry
throughout production and post-production relationships for 30 to 40
years or longer.
The program return to cooperative partners is not measured just in
dollars or euros but in skillful interoperative forces capable of
conducting and supporting actions worldwide.
Today we are locked in a global struggle to counter terrorism, a
threat to our way of life. Italy has long dealt with this menace and
knows firsthand the importance of cooperation in halting and defeating
terrorism. Our common resolve to continue cooperative efforts against
a common enemy is embodied within this ceremony.
I welcome the Italian Ministry of National Defense to the JSF
cooperative family. Together we will bring about great change for our
two countries.
Now I'd like to introduce my friend, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola,
Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director of Italy.
Giampaolo, welcome.
[Applause]
Di Paola: Ladies and gentlemen, Pete first of all, my dear friend
Pete. I want to personally thank you for inviting me to this most
remarkable ceremony. It is really a pleasure and an honor to represent
the Italian government and in particular the Minister of Defense,
Minister Martino, for the signature of this MOU which really marks
Italy joining the SDD phase of the Joint Strike Fighter Program.
The Joint Strike Fighter program represents for Italy, the United
States, and the other participants in this project, a significant step
forward in the way of modernizing our air capability. The development
of this new aircraft as I see it for the first time defense people
from many allied nations, from many different services, and from the
aerospace industry working together as a joint team to develop a most
effective and affordable system.
Jointness is embedded in the name of this aircraft, Joint Strike
Fighter. Jointness must be embedded as well in the development of this
demanding but very challenging program.
Today's ceremony formalizes Italy's participation in the joint
enterprise as the second largest participant to the project besides,
of course the United States. We recognize Joint Strike Fighter is the
new approach to military procurement in that it pursues top
performances while benefiting from standardization, rationalization,
interoperability and a strict eye on cost control.
Air operations in the last decade have indicated a need for effective
air power in a high threat environment, low viability, which normally
is better known as darkness, flexibility, effective engagement and
rapid deployability are key factors of growing importance.
We believe the Joint Strike Fighter to be a proper answer to these
requirements and to both capability and shortfall which has been
defined in DCI, in the NATO Defense [Capabilities] Initiative, and
also the European [inaudible]. Joint Strike Fighter will boost our
joint capabilities to conduct a support coalition operation both
within NATO and also, if the case arises, in the European framework.
In the Italian case Joint Strike Fighter will be operated from the
Navy and the Air Force. Therefore we will have both sea-based and
land-based air power allowing for the first time to Italy to achieve a
stronger [inaudible] and logistic commonality and synergy in our
offensive air power. It is a first case for Italy. It is very
important.
The joint development of this system will allow the participating
countries to benefit from the joint exploitation of new emerging
technologies. These ambitions will thus represent both a challenge and
an opportunity.
It is particularly true or certainly true for the Italian defense
industry which will be in a position to gain participation both in
quality and quantity commensurate to the technological and industrial
capability, and to recognize the contribution by Italy to the program.
We understand the principle of competition and we share it, but at the
same time we are confident and rely on significant participation by
the Italian industry within the framework of the established rules for
the SDD phase and to the follow-on production and support phase of
this very challenging project.
The competence, the technological and industrial knowledge of the
Italian aerospace and electronic companies gives is the confidence
that this participation and cooperation will be highly beneficial for
the announcement of our technological industrial base.
It is very important to us, certainly very important to Italian
government that the industry to industry arrangements that have been
agreed or are underway of being finalized form the foundation for
achieving this goal.
I expect the industrial arrangements already in place or of eminent
finalization will be implemented as agreed. I intend to be engaged in
the verification process of this agreement. The relevance and the
significance and the amount of Italian participation in this program
call for nothing less.
Mutually beneficial teamwork is the key to this as well as to future
projects. With the Joint Strike Fighter we look forward to
establishing better effective environmental cooperation between our
allied armed forces and accept the basis for more intense balance and
open technological and industrial cooperation across the Atlantic. I
strongly believe in this program and am proud to be here. Thank you.
[Applause]
[Pause for signing]
Aldridge: Great day.
Di Paola: Great day.
[Applause]
Aldridge: It is a great day. This is going to be a great program and I
know one that's going to be a contribution to international
cooperation around the world. We're just delighted to have Italy now
as a full-fledged member of our team and we look forward to some great
relationships as we build this terrific fighter.
I'll open it up for any questions you might have.
Q: Admiral, I'd like to ask you, you say you plan to use both
versions, both the naval and the land-based version. How many do you
currently anticipate buying?
Di Paola: We have not decided yet a fixed figure because is not time
yet. We'll see how well the development of the program. And of course
we would see when the time comes in some years saying what will be our
requirement.
Certainly we are talking in numbers, I'd say if we want just to make a
rough order of magnitude, probably 100 and above that number.
Q: And the breakdown between the two?
Di Paola: It's too early to say. Also will depend to see if our
requirement for short takeoff vertical landing will only be for
sea-based or we can have also some of them also for more conventional
operations. We have to look into that so it is too early to say, but
not necessarily only for sea-based will be the short takeoff vertical
landing.
Q: Just to confirm, does the $1 billion [$1,000 million] investment
mean a definite decision by Italy to eventually buy the aircraft? And
how much is industry providing for that?
Di Paola: Well of course strictly speaking we are just participating
in the MOU in the SDD phase, but if we look to what we have done to
get the response, if we look to the amount of contribution we are
providing for the SDD phase it would be not easy [sic] to presume that
we will definitely want to acquire it.
Q: And the industry split?
Di Paola: Well, as you know this is a program which is run on a
competition basis. Therefore there is not so-called cost share,
working share principle applied. But from the discussion and the
agreement that has been reached between our industry and the prime
contractor in the United States we are confident we will get a quality
and besides quantity in particular during the production phase, a
return of which [inaudible] investment. I will not do figure because
it would not be proper to make figure, but a certain designated
fundamental aspect of our negotiation, of our discussion, certainly is
a point at which our Parliament in approving the program has looked at
very carefully, so we are confident we will get what it is important
for our industry technology to grow, technology participation, and
also industrial participation as well.
Q: Mr. Secretary, could you bring us up to date on how discussions are
going with Australia, Israel and Singapore? Any thinking those
countries will join or do you see this closing out after Turkey?
Aldridge: At the point when Turkey signs up we anticipate that that
will be what we know today are the firm negotiations. We're still in
discussions with Australia. Their Parliament, I believe, meets
sometime this week to discuss whether or not they would like to enter
the program. But as you know, we are moving down the track on this
program very quickly. We need the industrial partners to be part of
our team as soon as possible. So exactly how the Australians turn out
in their decision and exactly what time they come on board is yet to
be determined.
We're continuing discussions with Singapore and with Israel, but it is
a different relationship than the partnership that we have currently
on the Joint Strike Fighter.
Q: A question for the Admiral. So is the commitment from Italy to buy
JSF or possibly to buy JSF, does that change in any way the plans for
Eurofighter?
Di Paola: I am grateful for your question because the answer is very
straightforward. It's been put forward many many times in Italy so I
am grateful for your question.
The answer is not. We are fully engaged in the Eurofighter program. We
are a major participant to that project. We have already, we are in
the procurement phase of 121 Eurofighters, we will continue with that.
Our plan is to have basically two major aircraft for our air power
requirements. That means Eurofighter for air defense as the primary
role air superiority, and the Joint Strike Fighter for defensive air
power, sea-based, land-based. So that's the way we envision our fit
for our air power capability in the horizon of 2016. We have firmly
committed, the contract is already there. So definitely the answer is
not. The two programs are complementary from an operational point of
view and also from an industrial point of view so we are definitely
engaged in the program of Eurofighter. We will continue with that.
Q: Mr. Aldridge, could you describe what kind of arrangement could be
made for Israel, Singapore and possibly Australia?
Aldridge: It's truly too early to tell. We're still in negotiations.
It will be some type of a partnership that will allow them to purchase
the airplane later in time, but it is not of the same type of
relationship that exists with our current Level 1, 2, and 3 partners.
But exactly how that's going to turn out, we're still in discussions.
There are certain things that Singapore would like to participate,
we'd like to be able to accommodate them, but we still have to worry
about the details, and the devil is in the details when you get into
these negotiations so it's just too premature at this point.
Q: A question for the Admiral. Do you have any concerns that in
choosing a U.S. option you might be undermining European industry's
future capability to pull together a project of this size on its own?
Di Paola: No, really I am not. I think we have to dispel some wrong
beliefs, what I believe to be wrong beliefs, that in participating in
Joint Strike Fighter we are making a non-European choice. This is
absolutely not the case.
We believe that we are fully engaged in the Eurofighter program, and
the Eurofighter program represents a major industrial European project
and therefore we think we are contributing tremendously to maintaining
this capacity. At the same time we believe that when, it is not
necessary to be ideological about the issue. We believe the Joint
Strike Fighter was the best answer to our requirements for the
specific [inaudible] requirement, so we are not being ideological in
making the choice on one point.
Secondly, we have strongly supported the strong industry-to-industry
relationship across the Atlantic which we believe will be beneficial
for our industry and therefore if it is beneficial to industry, in the
end is beneficial to European industry. So on the contrary, we believe
we are doing a good choice. That said, I think it is important that
European industrial base gets stronger, but it is also very important
European industrial base get on a sound cooperative basis with
American industrial base. We are partners not only in operation, we
are partners also in technological development. I believe in a strong
Europe, I believe in a strong trans-Atlantic cooperation.
Aldridge: The Admiral just described the Joint Strike Fighter program.
It is truly international in its context and with the very strong
international -- our European industrial participation has been
negotiated between the prime contractors and European industry.
Any other questions?
Q: Just one for the Admiral. With the investment in Eurofighter and
now JSF does this leave limited dollars left or say anything about
your commitment for A-400M?
Di Paola: This is, you know the decision on my government, at least
the decision has been taken by my government not to be engaged in the
A-400M for, as it sits. So at present, A-400M is not an argument in
Italian defense. The decision has been taken not to participate at
least for whatever is the foreseeable future. I cannot discount that
maybe sometime in the long time future we will reconsider that. For
the time being is not a problem, so I don't see any interface between
these two problems.
Aldridge: Last question? No more?
Thank you very much.
Di Paola: Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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