Rendering of US EC-37B EW aircraft. According to foreign media reports, the Italian Air Force has shown a strong interest in the EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft to be commissioned by the US Air Force. Considering the precedent of cooperation between the two sides in the aviation field, the Italian Air Force may purchase this type of electronic warfare aircraft in the future. Seeking cooperation with the United States, the EC-37B EW aircraft is the main model of future electronic warfare of the US Air Force and the only long-range full spectrum EW countermeasure platform of the US Air Force. The aircraft uses the "Gulfstream" G550 business aircraft as the refitting platform, and L3 Harris of the United States is responsible for the electronic technology integration and refitting, and carries BAE's "Call Compass" electronic countermeasure system. The system can interfere with the enemy's command and control communication, radar and navigation systems to limit the enemy's battlefield space contact. At present, the Italian Air Force is equipped with two "Gulfstream" G550 CAEW early warning aircraft, and has ordered two "Gulfstream" G550 AISREW (Air Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) electronic warfare aircraft, one of which has been put into service in March this year. In addition, there are six "Gulfstream" G550 business jets to be modified that have not yet formally determined their mission roles. After the US Air Force selected the "Gulfstream" G550 business aircraft as the modification platform of EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft, the Italian Air Force also began to plan to create an upgrade plan for its "Gulfstream" G550 business aircraft to be modified. Italy hopes to upgrade some of the six aircraft to EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft, which will be used together with the "Gulfstream" G550 AISREW electronic warfare aircraft, to meet the strategic needs of Italy and NATO in local regional conflicts. At the same time, Italy intends to enhance its regional influence through cooperation with the United States. Italy and the United States have extensive cooperation in the aviation field. Italy is one of the first countries to participate in the development of the F-35 fighter program in the United States, and the third largest participant in the program. At present, Italy has the only final assembly production line and maintenance center in Europe. The 31st Fighter Wing of the US Air Force is stationed at Aviano Air Force Base in Italy, equipped with two thirds of the F-16 fighters stationed in Europe and the United States. In addition, the two sides are also exploring cooperation in the development of future helicopters. Procurement is not easy. Although Italy has shown a strong willingness to cooperate, the foreign media think that it is hard to meet its wishes. On the one hand, as the cutting-edge product of US electronic warfare, the capacity of the "Call Compass" electronic countermeasure system equipped with EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft is limited. According to the plan, the US Air Force will purchase 10 EC-37B electronic warfare aircraft, which will be put into service around 2028. Foreign media speculated that US allies could not get similar upgrades until around 2030. On the other hand, Italy's defense budget is limited and it is difficult to divert funds for the purchase of new equipment. In the first half of this year, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi said that Italy could not achieve the NATO hard target of 2% of GDP in defense expenditure by 2024, which would be postponed to 2028. Foreign media said that although Italy has made efforts to increase the proportion of weapons and equipment funding, it is difficult for the government to pay for additional new equipment for the Air Force in the case of tight overall budget. (Liu Xinshe)