After Donald Trump's threats: Italy breaks with decades-long US tradition

Merkur After Donald Trump's threats: Italy breaks with decades-long US tradition Patrick Mayer • 56 million • 3 minutes read Military aircraft in focus Because Donald Trump is leaving the military alliance unclear, Germany's NATO partner Italy is looking to Japan for new naval aircraft. Rome – US President Donald Trump has the world, figuratively speaking, on edge. There are, for example, mutual threats between Trump and Iran. Or there's the announcement of punitive tariffs on automobile imports to the United States, which particularly affects German industry. Due to Donald Trump's foreign policy: NATO countries from the EU reorient themselves While the 78-year-old is exerting relentless pressure in his own unique way during the negotiations on the Ukraine war, he is leaving open how and whether the US will continue in the NATO military alliance. And because of this, individual NATO members are apparently currently looking at how they can close American gaps in arms policy. After all, the member states of the European Union (EU) recently agreed to become more independent of Washington when it comes to weapons systems and equipment. One example is Italy, which is currently experiencing a real demonstration of the changed global political situation through alleged Russian espionage on Lake Maggiore. US arms exports to Europe: Italy's Air Force is now looking to Japan Specifically: As Italian Air Force Chief Luca Goretti confirmed at a press conference over the weekend, Rome is considering purchasing Japanese-made Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft. This would be a shift in arms policy, as the Italians have relied on US products and weapons to equip the Aeronautica Militare for many years. Is a rethink now underway because of Trump? Recently, there have been concerns across Europe about the F-35 fighter jets, which, according to unconfirmed reports, can even be remotely controlled by the US, or at least their functionality can be influenced. Italy has also ordered 75 of these fighter jets. "The P-1 is one of the possible options," Italian General Goretti is quoted as saying. The Americans also have a proven maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft in their lineup with the Boeing P-8, which is in large numbers (up to 150) in service with the US Navy. However, there are reportedly concerns that Trump could use agreed military deliveries as leverage in the event of political disputes and possibly withhold them. As the Republican recently did with Ukraine. Kawasaki P-1 The Kawasaki P-1 is a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. It was developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and entered service in spring 2013 as the successor to the American Lockheed P-3C. Due to the country's numerous coastlines and islands, the Japanese armed forces are said to have 33 of these military aircraft. Italy, for its part, is currently under pressure to close gaps in its maritime patrol capability for its diverse alliance missions in the Mediterranean. Currently, four military-grade ATR 72 aircraft are in use on an interim basis. According to special interest portals, these aircraft are equipped with electronically scanned radar but lack anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Air Force Chief Goretti recently described in parliament a more intensive cooperation with the Japanese. A purchase of P-1 aircraft would also cause a stir, as the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force has over 33 of these aircraft in its inventory – but none have yet been exported to another country. The P-1 can deploy air-to-ground guided missiles such as the Raytheon AGM-65 "Maverick," the Boeing AGM-84A/B/C "Harpoon," or the Mitsubishi ASM-1C for potential anti-submarine or anti-war missions. The crew of the 38-meter-long, 80-ton (without weapons) aircraft can also drop torpedoes, sea mines, and depth charges over the sea. Japanese aircraft instead of US models? Will Trump's aggressive foreign policy backfire on the American defense industry? (pm)