100 Years of the Italian Air Force Aeronautica Militare

A stylised numeral "100" traversed by a contrail, with a historic aircraft at its lower-left end and a modern fighter jet at its upper-right end. A curved line along the right edge connects both elements and carries the years "1923" & "2023". The commemorative inscription "AERONAUTICA MILITARE" runs along the lower edge; the Italian Republic monogram "RI" appears above the design; the Rome Mint mark "R" to the left; and the initials "VdS" of coin designer Valerio de Seta to the right.

The Aeronautica Militare is one of the oldest independent air forces in the world. Separated from the army's air corps and established as its own branch of the armed forces as early as 1923, it developed over the following decades into a mainstay of Italy's defense architecture. Its units fought on several fronts in the Second World War, after which the Aeronautica Militare transformed into a modern NATO force — from early jet fighters of the 1950s through the Tornado era to today's multirole fighters such as the Eurofighter Typhoon. The technological leap over a century is immense: from open wood-and-fabric biplanes to computer-based aircraft systems capable of supersonic flight.

For Italy, the air force is significant beyond its military history. The country played a pioneering role in early aviation history — Italian aviators and engineers were among the innovators of the early 20th century, and the 1933 transatlantic formation flight led by Italo Balbo made headlines around the world. The Aeronautica Militare thus represents a story of national identity that reaches far beyond its military mission. On the 100th anniversary of its founding in 2023, Italy commemorates this century of history — from the early aircraft of the interwar period to today's fighter jets — with a 2-euro commemorative coin.