Milestone

The Italian Navy declares its embarked F-35B component operational

August 28, 2024

Italy declared initial operational capability for the joint embarked F-35B component, made up of Marina Militare and Aeronautica Militare aircraft operating from the carrier Cavour. The milestone came during the ship's Indo-Pacific deployment and three years after the first Italian F-35B landing on her deck. It made Italy the only European country with an operational fifth-generation carrier air wing.

Sources: Naval News — Italian Navy Achieves IOC For The Embarked Joint F-35B Component