Italy’s economy has suffered particularly badly from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and is therefore now set to receive a substantial economic stimulus package from the EU. There is talk of up to 200 billion euros in domestic aid, including to large companies, on the basis of the “Temporary Framework” adopted by the Commission on March 19, with a further 65 billion euros to come from the EU Recovery Fund from 2021.
By way of comparison, Austria will receive three billion euros. It is still unclear what the money will be used for: The construction of highways or green technologies? The Italian ministries have collected hundreds of ideas, surprisingly including some to support the Italian aerospace and defense industry. According to a document from the Italian Ministry of Industry, investments in this area would “enable a technological leap in research, innovation and the construction of high-performance and dual-use platforms with reduced environmental impact, better cybersecurity and digital innovation”. The President of the Italian Aerospace and Defense Industry Association, Guido Crosetto, says he is “very interested and active in ensuring that defense programs are on the final shortlist.” Examples of this would be sixth-generation aircraft – a reference to Italy’s possible participation in the British Tempest program (Military News reported) – as well as advanced submarine technologies and unmanned systems in various areas. But also artificial intelligence, ships and ship propulsion systems as well as helicopters such as the AW249 combat helicopter, successor to the AW129 Mangusta. With the funds from Brussels, Italy could possibly even become involved in the “Future Vertical Lift” and “Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft” programs in the USA. These programs are concerned with the development of next-generation helicopters; there are currently two technology demonstrators: Bell’s V-280 Valor tilt-rotor (see below) and Sikorsky’s SB-1 Defiant coaxial aircraft. Sikorsky (now under Lockheed-Martin) already mentioned to Militär Aktuell at the ILA 2018 that it was in talks with Leonardo about a possible collaboration. They are looking for a European partner to take on the risk of European sales. https://militaeraktuell.at/v-280-talor-bell-zeigt-die-drehfluegler-zukunft/
