Italy approves second phase of F-35 investment programme - minister

ROME, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Italy will press ahead with an
investment programme for F-35 fighter jets, Defence Minister
Lorenzo Guerini said, after uncertainty over further orders from
the Rome government had raised questions on production plans.

"As the government aims to build on the investments made so
far and seize the opportunities offered by the programme, I've
decide to give a green light to the phase two," Guerini said
during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday.

Luigi Di Maio, leader of the co-ruling 5-Star Movement, said
last year that F-35 fighter jets were not a priority for the
country and that the programme had to be reviewed in 2019.
(Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri, editing by Valentina Za
)