Defence, high and very high operational readiness forces to be deployed abroad in crises or emergency situations

In the resolutions with which it asks parliament to give the go-ahead for participation in the various international missions, the government may identify contingents of forces with high and very high operational readiness, to be deployed abroad - subject to specific parliamentary authorisation - in the event of crises or emergency situations, thus outside the approved missions. Within 90 days of parliamentary authorisation, the executive shall report to Parliament on the persistence of the crisis or emergency situations that led to the actual deployment of the forces. This is one of the solutions provided for in the bill 'Amendments to Law No. 145 of 21 July 2016, containing provisions concerning Italy's participation in international missions', approved on first reading by the Senate. The government-initiated bill, related to the manoeuvre, obtained 118 votes in favour and 26 against. The measure now passes to the Chamber of Deputies for examination.

An element of flexibility is also introduced in the deployment of personnel in the various operational theatres. By virtue of the evolution of individual scenarios (changes in security conditions, political crises, suspension of a mission's activities, etc.), which occurred after the parliamentary deliberations, personnel already operational on the ground (or in any case already authorised) may be assigned to reinforce another mission, in the same geographical area.

The measure also changes the timing and content of the analytical report that the government is required to submit each year on the progress of missions, also for the purpose of their continuation. Law 145 of 2016 provides that, by 31 December of each year, the Government shall submit to the Chambers an analytical report on ongoing missions, also with a view to their continuation for the following year. This report specifies the progress of each mission and the results achieved, with particular reference to the results achieved, within each mission, by the Italian contingents. In practice, however, this deadline has been met only a few times. The rule therefore postpones the submission date of the analytical report from 31 December to 31 January of the following year. The reason for the change,' reads the explanatory report, 'is the circumstance that by 31 December of the year to which the missions refer, not all the elements relating to their progress and results are always available.

With regard to the mission allowance, the provision provides that it may also be granted to personnel who are employed in an area of operation not subject to the sovereignty of any state, i.e., in particular, in international waters and international airspace.

A number of items are added to those for which Law 146 of 2016 provides that the Ministries of Defence, the Interior and the Economy and Finance may resort, in cases of necessity and urgency connected with international missions, to purchases and works in economy, also by way of derogation from State accounting provisions and specifications. The additional items are victualling; sanitary material; casing material; fuel, fuel oil and transport service for personnel and material.