I am led to believe the Italians are NOT ordering - without further permission - any more than those already agreed upon. For example:
Lockheed Martin Wins Contract for F-35A and F-35B Fighter Jets 18 Jul 2013 Rich Smith
"...The larger award, this one for a more substantial $70.4 million, modifies a previously awarded advance acquisition contract to provide Lockheed with the funds needed to buy "long lead-time" parts, material, and components that will be required to build seven Conventional Take-Off and Landing F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, and one Short Take-Off Vertical Landing F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
All eight aircraft are destined for the Italian Air Force. Work on this long-lead contract is to be completed by February 2014.
The Pentagon made a point of clarifying that "International Partner contract funds" will be paying for these planes; for example, Italy is picking up the tab for this contract, and not U.S. taxpayers...."
Lockheed Martin Wins Contract for F-35A and F-35B Fighter Jets
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Senate passes motion on buying controversial F-35 fighters 16/07/2013
"Government to spend nearly 12 billion euros
Rome, July 16 – A majority of Italy's Senate approved the plans to buy F-35 jet fighters in a vote Tuesday but said future purchases should be approved by parliament. The controversial purchase passed by a vote of 202 in favour, 55 opposed and 15 abstentions. Having already passed the same vote in the Lower House, the purchase plans are now final. Senators rejected a call to cancel the purchase of 90 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets which, at an estimated $200 million per unit, are among the costliest fighter jets in the world.
Italy has a duty to its allies and its citizens to invest in the best defence systems possible, said Defence Minister Mario Mauro, whose government will spend approximately 11.8 billion euros on the program over 45 years starting in 2015....
...The purchase has been controversial and at times risked splitting the left-right coalition government. According to the defence ministry, the 90 aircraft will replace 256 obsolete fighters in the Italian air force...."
Senate passes motion on buying controversial F-35 fighters - GazzettaDelSud