Italy considers sending warplanes to Ukraine – La Repubblica

The Italian government is confidentially examining options for sending military jets to Kiev, La Repubblica newspaper reported on Sunday.

According to the paper, a deal involving up to five planes could be struck during an upcoming visit to the Ukrainian capital by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The consignment could include the old AMX A-11 Ghibli ground-attack aircraft as well as Tornado jets, La Repubblica said in another article published on Monday. The paper was quite skeptical about the initiative, however, noting that such a small number of jets is unlikely to change the situation in the skies over Ukraine.

According to the media outlet, the AMX Ghibli fighter-bombers are scheduled to be retired altogether by the Italian Air Force by the end of the year. “Delivery of Tornados or Eurofighters is more complex,” it said.

Rome does not want to be the first nation to supply Kiev with Western-made aircraft, La Repubblica said. It would agree to deliver the planes only if other countries do so first, the paper explained, adding that Italy wants some other “allies” like the UK to lead the charge.