BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON LICENSE 050060873- C27J

UNCLAS ROME 001237 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WATKINS IN PM/DTCC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ETTC KOMC IT SUBJECT: BLUE LANTERN CHECK ON LICENSE 050060873- C27J AIRCRAFT PARTS REF: STATE 045220 ¶1. (SBU) Post conducted reftel post-shipment check on license 050060873, concerning aircraft parts for the C-27J. The Italian Ministry of Defense confirmed that the GOI had ordered twelve C-27J aircraft, to be built by Alenia. The Italian MOD told Post it had no documentation concerning the relationship between Alenia and Aero Vodochody, a company based in the Czech Republic, or between Universal Alloy Corporation, an American supplier, and Aero Vodochody. Nevertheless, Alenia, a major Italian defense company, was able to confirm that Aero Vodochody provided assembly services for a central part of the C-27J's wing. ¶2. (SBU) Comment: The parts in question are being assembled by Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic, and then integrated by Alenia into the final C-27J aircraft. However, because Alenia makes the C-27J for many diverse customers, it is not certain that all the parts specified in this Blue Lantern request were destined exclusively for the Italian military. Universal Alloy was very responsive to Post but could only provide information about when the sensitive parts were shipped. Based on the lack of documentation provided by the Italian Ministry of Defense, Post was unable to verify that unauthorized third parties were barred access to these licensed items. Embassy Prague may wish to verify Aero Vodochody's role in the transaction. End Comment. ¶3. (SBU) Any inquiries should be directed to Chris Curran, Embassy Rome's point of contact for Blue Lantern requests. Phone: (39) 06-4674-2435. SIPRNET: CurranCP@state.sgov.gov SPOGLI