Italy is evaluating the procurement of Japan’s Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) for the needs of the Aeronautica Militare.

This initiative aims to address the nation’s gap in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, which has persisted since the retirement of the Breguet BR 1150 Atlantic fleet in 2017.

Following the decommissioning of the Atlantic aircraft, Italy introduced four Leonardo P-72A aircraft, based on the ATR 72 regional aircraft, as an interim solution. While effective for surveillance missions, these aircraft lack the necessary equipment for ASW operations.

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