National Security - Defense Revolutionizes Procurement

Rome, July 7, 2025 – The Ministry of Defense is preparing to present a crucial amendment aimed at revolutionizing the acquisition of military materials and equipment, a bold and necessary step to strengthen Italy's defensive capabilities. This initiative, aimed at streamlining purchasing procedures and ensuring an immediate response to the needs of our Armed Forces, is a strong and clear signal of the country's willingness to safeguard its security in an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape.

The amendment, promoted by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, stems from a deep awareness of the current defensive shortcomings and the urgency to address them. By accelerating contracts for the production and trade of arms and military material – a segment estimated at around 5% of total agreements – Italy equips itself with the essential tools to face any scenario, protecting the lives of its citizens and national interests.

A Concrete Commitment to the Homeland: Strategic Investments for the Future

The Government is firmly convinced that investments in the defense sector are an absolute priority and a moral duty towards the Nation. As highlighted by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, the Armed Forces are a fundamental pillar for the country's internal and external security, promptly intervening in the event of natural disasters, humanitarian emergencies, or terrorist threats. Their role is irreplaceable, and providing them with the best means is an investment in Italy's future and stability. This commitment aligns perfectly with international agreements, including those of The Hague, which foresee a 5% GDP investment in military expenses, demonstrating a forward-looking and responsible vision.

As evidence of the concreteness of this commitment, since the beginning of the Legislature, the Ministry of Defense, under the guidance of Honorable Crosetto, has already submitted twenty-seven new military programs to the Defense Committees of Parliament. All have received favorable opinions, involving a multi-year financial burden of 34.6 billion euros and an annual commitment between 700 and 800 million for 2024 and 2025. Of these, fifteen are rearmament programs, with a total cost of 22.8 billion euros and a financial commitment of about half a billion for both this year and the next.

Strengthening the Armed Forces: A Detail of Investments

These massive and targeted investments touch every branch of the Armed Forces, ensuring comprehensive modernization and greater operational efficiency.

For the Army, the most significant program is the acquisition of about 270 new Panther tanks (8.2 billion euros), produced by the German Rheinmetall and customized by Leonardo, which will ensure superior deterrence and maneuverability. Added to this are about 270 Flyer armored vehicles for special forces (230 million) and a robust renewal of the arsenal with 21 long-range self-propelled Himars missile batteries (960 million) and new supplies to replace weapons given to Kiev, including Stinger shoulder-launched missiles (808 million) and nearly 900 Spike anti-tank missiles (92 million). Investments also extend to training and infrastructure, with an innovative combat simulator (160 million), new indoor shooting ranges (63 million), a new helicopter school in Viterbo (608 million), and the modernization of barracks (almost 1.5 billion). Finally, the vehicle fleet of the "Strade Sicure" operation has been renewed with 2,400 Jeep Wranglers.

The Air Force is strengthened with the purchase of 24 new Typhoon fighters (almost 7.5 billion euros), aircraft that were previously canceled but now represent an indispensable boost to enhancement. Additionally, Italy will be equipped with its first Astore armed drones (76 million), produced by Leonardo, which will provide new operational capabilities. Significant investments are also made for training gliders (2 million) and the extensive modernization of air bases (almost 6 billion).

For the Navy, three key programs are planned for the embarked air component: the purchase of thousands of air-to-air missiles and aerial bombs for the F-35Bs (682 million), the provision of new Marte anti-ship missiles for the Nh-90 helicopters (390 million), and new fixed-wing and rotary-wing drones (192 million). The naval fleet will be enhanced with the purchase of two new Fremm Evo frigates (1.9 billion) and the electronic modernization of two Doria-class frigates (240 million). Also crucial is the acquisition of a final pair of U-212 Todaro NFS class submarines (over 1.3 billion) and a specialized ship for seabed clearance and monitoring of strategic underwater infrastructures (70 million), accompanied by an underwater operations center (60 million), all provided by Fincantieri. Parallelly, the arsenals (233 million) and naval bases (over 1.7 billion) will be modernized.

For the benefit of all Armed Forces, the acquisition and orbiting of a new Sicral military communications satellite (300 million), produced by Thales Alenia, is planned. Finally, for the Carabinieri, the purchase of a flight simulator (29 million) for helicopter pilot training has been approved.

Innovation and Security: The Foundations of the Amendment

The amendment is based on two innovative and fundamental principles. The first provides for an exemption from the preventive control of the Court of Auditors, balanced by the creation of a special commission. This commission, composed of high-profile figures such as a magistrate from the Council of State, a State lawyer, and representatives of the Armed Forces and the National Armaments Directorate, will ensure maximum transparency and regularity of contracts, guaranteeing that every resource is used with the utmost effectiveness and integrity.

The second pillar introduces the possibility of subjecting contracts to secrecy, an essential measure to protect national security. This measure, justified by the need to safeguard "sensitive" and strategic information for Italy, strengthens the country's ability to operate discreetly and decisively in complex contexts, protecting vital defense assets.

The document, already perfected by legislative offices, is ready to be presented as an amendment, likely to the infrastructure decree. The firm intention of the Ministry of Defense is to obtain a rapid green light, allowing Italy to decisively embark on the path of military modernization and to face the challenges of our time with renewed strength. It is a bold and necessary step for a Nation that wants to be a protagonist of its own security and a guarantor of its sovereignty.