MILAVIA - MILITARY AVIATION

History

In 1977 the Italian Air Force (AMI) issued a requirement for a multi-role strike/recce aircraft to replce its ageing Fiat G-91R/Ys and F-104G/Ss. Alenia and Aermacchi started development of the AMX together. In 1980 Brazilian company Embraer joined the project, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) also having issued a requirement for a similar aircraft to replace its AT-26 Xavantes. The consortium was based in Rome, Alenia Aerospazio 46.5%, Aermacchi 23.8%, and Embraer 29.7%.

In May 1984 the AMX made its first flight and initial production aircraft entered service in 1989 with both air forces. The AMX were assembled in both Italy as Brazil. The first AMX aircraft was delivered to the Italian Air Force in January 1989 and to the Brazilian Air Force in 1990. In total, 192 aircraft, 155 single-seaters and 37 AMX-T two-seaters, have been delivered to Italy and Brazil.

Italian Air Force AMX fighters were deployed as part of the NATO forces in Operation Allied Force against Serbia in 1999.

The planned purchase in late 1990 by the Royal Thai air force, as the first overseas customer, of 26 AMX's and 12 AMX-T's costing some $590 million, plus over $150 million for spares and technical support, was cancelled in February 1992 through funding problems for the 10-year budget commitment involved.

In 1999 eight AMX-Ts were ordered by the Venezuelan Air Force (FAV) due for delivery in 2001, but it was cancelled. In late 2002 a new contract was signed for 12 AMX-T aircraft (supposely of AMX-ATA standard featuring upgrades based on the Brazilian A-1M upgrade programme) with scheduled delivery in 2005, but this was deferred. In 2006 the FAV was reported to be planning to revive the contract with delivery in 2007. With the arms embargo placed on Venezuela by the US, it now seems unlikely that the AMX will ever enter service with the FAV, which might look at the Su-25/39 instead.