Strade Sicure in the Budget: Crosetto's Consistency that Halts Expansion and Clarifies the Role of the Military

With the approval of the new economic budget, the topic of the operation “Strade Sicure” has returned to the center of political and institutional debate. Not so much to announce an expansion of the device, but to reopen a broader reflection on its meaning, its usefulness today, and, above all, the role that the Armed Forces should play in the national security system.

In this context, the position of the Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto stood out for consistency and clarity, bringing back to the forefront an issue that for years has remained balanced between operational needs, public perception of security, and the correct use of the military instrument.

During the parliamentary examination of the budget law, friction emerged explicitly. The Lega aimed to increase the number of soldiers employed in “Strade Sicure”, further strengthening the presence of the Army in cities and internal security devices.

However, it was Crosetto himself who asked for that initiative to be withdrawn. A clear stance that confirms a line already expressed by the minister previously: not to transform an extraordinary employment into a structural function of the Armed Forces.

The message, essentially, was both political and operational. On one hand, to avoid further burdening the military with tasks that do not fall within their primary mission; on the other, to reiterate that internal security must be strengthened with adequate tools, starting with the enhancement of the Police Forces.

Strade Sicure: from Emergency Measure to Structural Employment

The Strade Sicure operation was born in 2008 as an extraordinary response to a contingent need: to strengthen territorial control at a time of particular pressure on urban security. Over time, however, what was supposed to be a temporary solution has turned into a stable presence.

Today, about 6,800 soldiers are employed daily in static surveillance activities, guarding sensitive targets, and supporting law enforcement. A significant number that raises legitimate questions about effectiveness, sustainability, and especially consistency with the primary role of the Armed Forces.

Crosetto's Position: Clarity and Realism

Minister Crosetto has repeatedly expressed a simple but politically relevant concept:
the military cannot become a permanent solution to public order problems.

His position is clear: the operation has been useful and has played an important role in a specific phase, but cannot structurally replace the Police Forces.

Crosetto emphasized how keeping thousands of soldiers permanently employed in urban surveillance tasks means, in fact, taking them away from their primary function: training, operational readiness, and the ability to engage in missions for which they are truly prepared.

It is a vision that does not arise from an abstract political assessment but from a direct knowledge of the military world and its real needs.

During the discussion on the economic budget, this approach translated into a concrete act: opposition to an expansion of the Strade Sicure operation.

A choice that does not represent a contradiction but rather confirms the consistency of the minister's line. Crosetto has never denied the usefulness of the operation; however, he has always maintained that the problem should be addressed at its root, namely:

• strengthening the ranks of the Police Forces;
• investing in training, means, and resources;
• returning the Armed Forces to their natural role.

In other words, a more balanced and structured security system.

Defense and Security: Two Different Levels

One of the most relevant aspects of Crosetto's position is the clear distinction between internal security and national defense.

Confusing the two areas risks weakening both. The Armed Forces are called today to face complex scenarios: international crises, deterrence, NATO, missions abroad, new hybrid threats. Keeping them permanently employed in urban surveillance tasks means reducing their strategic effectiveness.

At the same time, the security of cities must be guaranteed by forces adequately trained for public order, with specific tools and skills.

Crosetto's position is not ideological but structural. It is a vision that looks to the future of Italian Defense and the need to:

• value military personnel;
• restore operational dignity to the Armed Forces;
• build a more efficient and less emergency-driven security system.

In this sense, the discussion on the budget has only made evident a line already drawn for some time: Strade Sicure has fulfilled its task, but it cannot become the norm.

Conclusion

In a political debate often dominated by slogans and oppositions, Guido Crosetto's position represents a rare example of institutional consistency. A line that does not deny the past but looks to the future with realism.

Strengthening the Police Forces, restoring centrality to the Armed Forces, clearly distinguishing roles: this is the direction indicated by the minister.

A direction that, beyond the controversies, appears today more necessary than ever.