The base will host one Italian Air Force operational squadron and one international training squadron, supported by shared infrastructure.ROME- Italy invests €112.6 million to establish a multinational F-35 Lightning II pilot training center at Trapani-Birgi Air Base (TPS), creating the first dedicated F-35 training facility outside the United States for NATO and European Joint Strike Fighter partner nations.
This center, reported by La Sicilia on January 7, 2026, will function as Italy’s third operational F-35 base while providing international training, with initial capability by 2028 and full operations in 2029, addressing limited US-based training capacity.
