On 5 April 2024 the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) officially marked the retirement of its AMX Ghibli light attack aircraft after 35 years of service.
A formal phase-out ceremony was held for the type at the Aeronautica Militare’s 51st Stormo (Wing) at Istrana Air Base near Treviso in northern Italy, where the 51st Stormo’s 132nd Squadron has been the last Italian unit to operate the AMX.
The AMX was produced by the joint venture AMX International, in which Italian aerospace companies Alenia and Aermacchi were joined by Brazil’s Embraer.
The first Italian-assembled AMX prototype made its maiden flight on 15 May 1994, while the first Brazilian-assembled prototype made its first flight on 16 October 1985.
After officially receiving its first AMX on 19 April 1989, the Aeronautica Militare took delivery of 110 AMX aircraft from 1989 and 26 AMX-T twin-seat trainer variants from 1994; 35 of the former and five of the latter were remaining in operation as the type was retired.
The AMX was used by the Aeronautica Militare in multiple theatres, including the Balkans, Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Brazilian Air Force, which received 79 AMXs and 15 AMX-Ts, still operates 51 of the former and eight of the latter, but will retire these aircraft in 2032.
