Spotter Magazine Spotter Magazine Issue 2 July 2016 | Page 5

JULY 2016 Italy – Aeronautica Militare Italiana The Italian Air Force reached initial operational capability with the Typhoon in December 2005, when the type took over QRA duties at Grosseto Air Base. The service will eventually receive 96 aircraft, these being divided into 28 Tranche 1s, 47 Tranche 2s and 21 tranche 3As. Recently, Bulgaria was offered eight ex-Italian Tranche 1 Eurofighters as replacements for its MiG-29s, however the deal is far from being completed. Aeronautica Typhoons are primarily based at Grosseto, with additional units performing QRA duties at Trapani, with Cervia being designated as an EF-2000 rapid deployment base. Maintenance is effected at Cameri. 5