In 1940 the Regia Aeronautica of Italy, negotiated the purchase of JU87 Stuka from its Axis ally Germany to replace its own SM85 divebombers that had been declared unsuitable for combat operations. During July 1940, 15 Italian pilots arrived for intensive training on the JU87 at the Luftwaffe Stuka training school in Graz, Austria with a similar number arriving the following month. The first batch of JU87s supplied were from existing Luftwaffe units so Italian emblems and insignia were painted over the original German markings. To further personalise their aircraft the Stuka was re-named Picchiatello by the Italian crews. Initially equipping 96 Gruppo based in Sicily, the Regia Aeronautica was the first air arm to use the JU87 in the Mediterranean Theatre.