Italy’s defence ministry confirmed that an Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon, designated F-2000, was hit overnight during attacks on Ta’if Air Base, also known as King Fahad Air Base, in Saudi Arabia. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said the aircraft was struck in a remote area of the base, while Italian personnel deployed there under Operation Inherent Resolve were unharmed and no other vehicles or infrastructure used by the contingent were damaged.
The aircraft was part of Italy’s overseas military presence at the base, where Italian forces operate air-defence and surveillance assets. The extent of the damage to the fighter was not disclosed immediately, although some reporting suggested it may have been destroyed; that assessment was not officially confirmed. The attack has raised concern because it appears to be the first reported strike to damage a fighter operated by a European air force in the region. Ta’if has been targeted several times before, and the latest incident underscores the exposure of coalition aircraft and personnel at forward-deployed bases in the Middle East.