The Tornado has been in Italian service for more than 40 years and is set to bow out in 2025. Joe Campion details the type’s story
The Panavia Tornado has served Italy since 1981 and is set to bow out in 2025. Deliveries reached a total of 87 airframes in the IDS variant, 12 of these being the IDS(T) (Trainer). The AM now operates both the Interdiction and Strike (IDS) and Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) variant, after 16 of the IDS aircraft were converted to the ECR variant from 1998. In addition to these deliveries, the AM leased 24 Tornado F3s from the RAF for ten years to augment its air defence role when its F-104ASA Starfighters were leaving service.
