The U.S. State Department has approved a potential $301 million sale to Italy covering 100 AGM-158B/B-2 JASSM-ER long-range standoff missiles, along with associated equipment, software, logistics support, and classified systems. The DSCA’s notification marks Italy’s entry into a select group of European forces equipped for deep precision strike at ranges approaching 1,000 km. For Rome, the acquisition reframes the F-35 not just as a tactical aircraft but as a strategic deterrent asset capable of influencing regional security dynamics shaped by the war in Ukraine and pressures across NATO’s flanks. The proposal includes encryption devices, containers, test gear, spare parts, publications, training, transport support, and contractor assistance, effectively providing a full operational ecosystem rather than a simple missile batch. DSCA emphasizes the $301 million figure represents a maximum estimate; final costs will drop once Italy finalizes configuration and contract details.
