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Italy Signs-On As New Joint Strike Fighter Partner
Monday, June 24, 2002
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics E.C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. and Italy's Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola sign Joint Strike Fighter program memorandums of understanding today at a Pentagon ceremony.
Image Credit: Gerry J. Gilmore -- AFIS.

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Italy today officially signed on as a partner to develop the Joint Strike Fighter.

U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics E.C. "Pete" Aldridge Jr. and Italy's Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director Adm. Giampaolo Di Paola signed memorandums of understanding pertaining to the JSF program at a Pentagon ceremony.

"We are delighted to have Italy now as a full-fledged member of our (JSF) team, and we look forward to seeing a great relationship as we build this terrific fighter," Aldridge said after the signing ceremony, which was attended by Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz.

Italy -- investing just over $1 billion to help support the aircraft's developmental and demonstration costs -- is the sixth nation to join an international partnership to co- develop the JSF with America. The other partners are the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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* DoD, Italy Sign Joint Strike Fighter Agreement
United States Department of Defense News Release
Monday, June 24, 2002

* DoD and Norway Sign Joint Strike Fighter Agreement
United States Department of Defense News Release
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