Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taliban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
'We are now in a position to increase the number of Italian soldiers by 1,000 beginning at the start of 2010,' said Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa, adding the deployments would be spread out through the year.
The additional Italian troops would result in a 'corresponding reduction' in other international missions in which the country participates, including in the Balkans and Lebanon, said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
'Obama has spoken of the beginning of a withdrawal from 2011. We hope that will be possible,' Mr Frattini said. Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taleban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
Mr La Russa said the extra troops would be part of a wider effort to bring stability to Afghanistan more than eight years into the war. He named 'major resources for reconstruction, more obligations for the Karzai government in the battle against drugs, more training for Afghan forces'.
The reinforcements would make Italy's one of the largest contingents in Nato's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Showing posts with label Italian Army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian Army. Show all posts
Thursday, December 03, 2009
DTN News: Italy Readies 1,000 Extra Troops To Afghanistan ~ official
DTN News: Italy Readies 1,000 Extra Troops To Afghanistan ~ official
*Source: DTN News / Int'l Media
(NSI News Source Info) ROME, Italy - December 4, 2009: ITALY'S government on Thursday said it was ready to send 1,000 extra soldiers to Afghanistan next year following US President Barack Obama's announcement of a troop surge. Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taliban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
'We are now in a position to increase the number of Italian soldiers by 1,000 beginning at the start of 2010,' said Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa, adding the deployments would be spread out through the year.
The additional Italian troops would result in a 'corresponding reduction' in other international missions in which the country participates, including in the Balkans and Lebanon, said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
'Obama has spoken of the beginning of a withdrawal from 2011. We hope that will be possible,' Mr Frattini said. Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taleban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
Mr La Russa said the extra troops would be part of a wider effort to bring stability to Afghanistan more than eight years into the war. He named 'major resources for reconstruction, more obligations for the Karzai government in the battle against drugs, more training for Afghan forces'.
The reinforcements would make Italy's one of the largest contingents in Nato's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taliban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
'We are now in a position to increase the number of Italian soldiers by 1,000 beginning at the start of 2010,' said Defence Minister Ignazio La Russa, adding the deployments would be spread out through the year.
The additional Italian troops would result in a 'corresponding reduction' in other international missions in which the country participates, including in the Balkans and Lebanon, said Foreign Minister Franco Frattini.
'Obama has spoken of the beginning of a withdrawal from 2011. We hope that will be possible,' Mr Frattini said. Italy, one of 43 countries which make up the US-led coalition in Afghanistan, currently has around 2,800 troops deployed in the war against Taleban insurgents and their Al-Qaeda allies.
Mr La Russa said the extra troops would be part of a wider effort to bring stability to Afghanistan more than eight years into the war. He named 'major resources for reconstruction, more obligations for the Karzai government in the battle against drugs, more training for Afghan forces'.
The reinforcements would make Italy's one of the largest contingents in Nato's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
Friday, May 15, 2009
Boeing, AgustaWestland Sign Contract To Provide ICH-47F Chinooks To Italian Army
Boeing, AgustaWestland Sign Contract To Provide ICH-47F Chinooks To Italian Army
(NSI News Source Info) May 15, 2009: The Boeing Company and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, today signed a contract for the manufacture and support of 16 ICH-47F Chinook helicopters for the Italian Army. The contract makes Boeing the prime subcontractor to AgustaWestland for the new aircraft. 
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) was faster than utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s and even many of today. Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply. It has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks.
Chinooks have been sold to 16 nations; the largest users are the U.S. Army and the Royal Air Force, see Boeing Chinook (UK variants). The Chinook is now produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
The contract is worth approximately 900 million euros ($1.23 billion).
Boeing will build the ICH-47F fuselage at its facility in Ridley Park, Pa. Prime contractor AgustaWestland will be responsible for design and systems integration, aircraft final assembly and delivery to the Italian Army. AgustaWestland is expected to begin deliveries in 2013.
"This is an exciting moment for two great companies," said Jack Dougherty, Boeing H-47 Program vice president, who participated in the signing ceremony. "This contract continues our long-standing cooperation on the Chinook program and marks an important step forward in the successful relationship between our companies. We are very proud to help provide the Italian Army with a new generation of multirole helicopters."
Dougherty further commended the entire Italian Ministry of Defense team, including the General Directorate of Air Armaments (ARMAEREO) -- which is procuring the latest version of F-Model Chinooks on behalf of the Italian Army -- for its professionalism and focus.
"We are happy to have set this major milestone," said Alessandro Parrini, AgustaWestland senior vice president, Italian Government Business Unit. "This contract, which marks the latest step in the long-lasting relationship between AgustaWestland and the Italian Army, further strengthens the strategic partnership between the company and the service, and it will provide a significant contribution to the modernization of the Italian Army helicopter fleet."
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is a versatile, twin-engine, tandem rotor heavy-lift helicopter. Its top speed of 170 knots (196 mph, 315 km/h) was faster than utility and attack helicopters of the 1960s and even many of today. Its primary roles include troop movement, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply. It has a wide loading ramp at the rear of the fuselage and three external-cargo hooks.
Chinooks have been sold to 16 nations; the largest users are the U.S. Army and the Royal Air Force, see Boeing Chinook (UK variants). The Chinook is now produced by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.
The contract is worth approximately 900 million euros ($1.23 billion).
Boeing will build the ICH-47F fuselage at its facility in Ridley Park, Pa. Prime contractor AgustaWestland will be responsible for design and systems integration, aircraft final assembly and delivery to the Italian Army. AgustaWestland is expected to begin deliveries in 2013.
"This is an exciting moment for two great companies," said Jack Dougherty, Boeing H-47 Program vice president, who participated in the signing ceremony. "This contract continues our long-standing cooperation on the Chinook program and marks an important step forward in the successful relationship between our companies. We are very proud to help provide the Italian Army with a new generation of multirole helicopters."
Dougherty further commended the entire Italian Ministry of Defense team, including the General Directorate of Air Armaments (ARMAEREO) -- which is procuring the latest version of F-Model Chinooks on behalf of the Italian Army -- for its professionalism and focus.
"We are happy to have set this major milestone," said Alessandro Parrini, AgustaWestland senior vice president, Italian Government Business Unit. "This contract, which marks the latest step in the long-lasting relationship between AgustaWestland and the Italian Army, further strengthens the strategic partnership between the company and the service, and it will provide a significant contribution to the modernization of the Italian Army helicopter fleet."
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