Defence investment plan: from F-35s to anti-drone systems, from Samp/T to submarines

These are, in brief, some of the weapon systems in which Defence intends to invest, according to some indications contained in the Annex to the DPP 2025-2027.

AIRCRAFT MEANS: COMBAT VELVANS

Il documento fa riferimento al programma volto all’acquisizione del Sistema d’Arma di quinta generazione F-35. A fronte del requisito di 131 velivoli, si prevede di acquisire un totale di 115 velivoli, di cui 75 F-35A Conventional Take Off and Landing (CTOL) per l’Aeronautica Militare e 40 F-35B Short Take Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) suddivisi a metà fra l’Aeronautica Militare e La Marina Militare. Viene spiegato inoltre che il programma ha ricevuto una necessaria integrazione di 2,3 miliardi di euro attraverso risorse a “fabbisogno” recate dalla Legge di bilancio 2025. In particolare il Governo prevede un investimento pari a 735 milioni per quest’anno, che salgono a 961 nel 2026, calano a 403 l’anno dopo, 3,5 miliardi nel triennio 2028-2030 e 6,7 miliardi di euro negli anni successivi per un fabbisogno totale sino al 2046 pari a 12 miliardi.

The programme envisages the design and development of a sixth-generation 'Combat Air System', capable of operating both manned and unmanned, integrated in the five operational domains (land, air, sea, cyber and space) and intended to perform strategic roles (air control, surveillance and attack). In addition to Italy, the UK and Japan are participating in the Gcap programme. The resources budgeted in this case are: 624 million in 2025, 274 in 2026, 260 in 2027, 1.2 billion from 2028 to 2030, and 7.2 billion in the following years. The funding deadline is 2035.

Il programma, realizzato in collaborazione con Germania, Regno Unito e Spagna, riguarda lo sviluppo, l’acquisizione e l’evoluzione di un caccia destinato alla difesa dello spazio aereo e alla protezione tridimensionale delle forze. Include lo sviluppo di sensori avanzati da parte dell’industria aeronautica italiana. I costi complessivi per il mantenimento e l’evoluzione delle capacità sono stimati in circa 700 milioni di euro all’anno. Inoltre, è stata assegnata una prima tranche di 690 milioni di euro per l’acquisizione di 24 nuovi Eurofighter, che sostituiranno i velivoli della prima tranche, il cui phase-out è previsto a partire dal 2029. Il programma ha ricevuto una necessaria integrazione di 3,3 miliardi sul bilancio del Mimit per effetto della legge di Bilancio 2025. In questo caso lo stanziamento è di 740 milioni nel 2025, 810 nel 2026, 860 nel 2027 e 1,3 miliardi dal 2028 al 2030. Negli anni successivi la spesa è di 2,5 miliardi, e il termine di finanziamento è il 2039.

HEAVY COMBAT MEANS

The programme aims to maintain the operability and safety of the Army's armoured component by modernising 125 Ariete tanks. The objective is to provide the Italian Army with a platform suitable for operating in current and future operational scenarios where high standards of protection for personnel on board, engagement and command and control capabilities, high tactical mobility, crew safety and deployment in high-threat theatres are required. The budget: 100 million in 2025, 107 in 2026, 145 in 2027 and 220 between 2028 and 2030. For the following years 180 million. Funding deadline: 2034.

The programme aims to renew and complete the combat capability of the armoured forces, which is currently ensured by the Aries and Leopard 1 platforms in their derivative versions. It envisages the acquisition of the latest generation of Main Battle Tanks and derivative platforms (recovery, rescue, bridge launchers, pioneer). Budget: 50 million in 2025, the same in 2026, 210 in 2027, 1.9 billion between 2028 and 2030, and 3.2 billion thereafter. Financing deadline: 2038.

This is a project for the development and acquisition of technologies to counter the Mini-Micro APR threat. The intervention is aimed at the development and acquisition of air defence and Force Protection systems for complex and urban operational contexts. The document clarifies that the retrofit of some in-service equipment is also envisaged to avoid a capacity gap while waiting for the procurement of new equipment. In addition to funding from 'requirements' chapters, the programme benefits from resources allocated to the sector from 'legislative factor' funds from previous budget laws. Funding, with smaller amounts: 6 million in 2025, 11 in 2026, 12 in 2027, 81 from 2028 to 2030, 78 for the following years. Financing deadline: 2035.

Il Programma, interforze e in cooperazione internazionale con Francia e Regno Unito, prevede per l’Italia la produzione di: 6 batterie Medium Range SAMP/T New Generation (NG) per l’Esercito Italiano, 5 batterie SAMP/T NG per l’Aeronautica Militare, l’aggiornamento di 2 sistemi PAAMS per la Marina Militare e missili Aster 30 B1NT - New Technology; kit per l’estensione della vita operativa delle munizioni Aster in servizio; la fornitura del supporto logistico per i sistemi dell’Esercito e della Marina; potenziamento del Centro Interforze Munizionamento Avanzato e delle capacità nazionali di assemblaggio e verifica munizionamento. Il programma ha ricevuto un’integrazione pari a 320 milioni di euro attraverso risorse a “fabbisogno” recate dalla Legge di bilancio 2025 e di 1,3 miliardi sul bilancio del Mimit per effetto della manovra 2025. Finanziamenti: 847 milioni nel 2025, 801 nel 2026, 802 nel 2027, 1,6 miliardi tra 2028 e 2030, circa un miliardo per gli anni successivi. Termine finanziament

NAVAL PROGRAMME

Launched in 2002 in cooperation with France for the construction of ten new-generation frigates and acquisition of the relative logistic support. Following the sale of 2 units to Egypt, the programme has implemented an update to the delivery plan. The programme has obtained an extension to 2040 of the logistic support of the units in service and the continuation of the acquisition of a further 2 new-generation frigates (so-called FREMM EVO), providing for the integration of new technologies, updating the operational and technical requirements of a programme launched in 2002. The programme has received a supplement of 1.6 billion on the Mimit budget as a result of the 2025 Budget Law. Planned resources: 355 million in 2025, 442 in 2026, 629 in 2027, 1.2 billion between 2028 and 2030, 1.5 billion for the following years. Financing term: 2040.

German-Italian cooperation for the maintenance of adequate capabilities of the Defence Maritime Component for underwater surveillance in strategically important scenarios. The programme is financed from the budget of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. It envisages the acquisition of 4 U212NFS submarines. The programme has received a supplement of 311.5 million euro from the Mimit budget as a result of the Budget Law 2025. Funding: 466 million in 2025, 331 in 2026, 274 in 2027, 809 from 2028 to 2030, 918 for the following years. Financing term: 2036.