On 13 November 2019, a brand-new Guardia di Finanza ATR 72-600MP was noted at Turin-Caselle (Italy). The aircraft, serial (MM62311) and code (GF-)20, was photographed in a striking black colour scheme. The aircraft arrived from Venice on 8 November after painting.
The Guardia di Finanza is an Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. It is a militarized police force, forming a part of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, not the Ministry of Defence. Guardia di Finanza is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy’s primary agency for suppressing the illegal drug trade. It maintains over 600 boats and ships and more than 100 aircraft to serve in its mission of patrolling Italy’s territorial waters.
The active fixed wing aircraft within the GdF consist of four Piaggio P166DP-1, four ATR42-400MP and two Piaggio P180. Now four ATR72s will be added to the fleet. First delivery is due later this year, with the three remaining aircraft to arrive by 2022.
(via Scramble Magazine)
Photo credit: Luca Nicolotti (via jetphotos.com)