Italy Signs Up for JSF: Italy has signed the Joint Strike Fighter memorandum of understanding to proceed with the next phase of the program, according to a Defense Department release. The MOU covers production, sustainment, and follow-on development. Norway was the most recent to sign a similar MOU, and the Pentagon has reached agreements with Australia, Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, and Turkey. Denmark is expected to sign the MOU by the end of February.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
