Defence: 22 billion in investment in armaments beyond 2031 – here is the full picture

In terms of the resources available, according to the Multi-Annual Policy Document, the integrated defence budget is set to rise to 37.5 billion euros by 2027, comprising resources from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MIMIT) for defence investments, the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) for international missions, and allocations from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). The figure for 2026 is 36.7 billion, whilst a fall to 36.49 billion is forecast for 2028.

To go into more detail, approximately 22.3 billion euros are earmarked to cover projects for land-based vehicles, 20.3 billion euros for ships, submarines and maritime systems, €42.5 billion for aircraft (fighter, transport and training), helicopters and drones, €14 billion for armaments, ammunition and missiles, €5.2 billion for digitalisation, cyber security and simulation systems, and €1.4 billion for space programmes, which will be concentrated mainly over the next five years.

Furthermore: 1.4 billion is earmarked for research and development. A total of 8.5 billion euros is allocated for bases, logistics hubs, healthcare facilities and installations of the Army, Navy and Air Force. For maintenance and upgrades to vehicles and technological equipment, as well as for stocks of materials and various modernisation projects, 13.4 billion is earmarked up to 2039.

As regards the NATO budget, which includes additional items not covered by the integrated budget (such as INPS pensions and other expenditure by ministries contributing to national defence), the figure quoted in the document remains that for 2026, amounting to 48.31 billion euros, representing 2.1 per cent of GDP. Last year’s figure was 47.183 billion.

As regards heavy combat vehicles, the programme aims to strengthen the Italian Army’s heavy armoured component through three lines of action. The first concerns the modernisation of the Ariete tanks. The second concerns the project known as the Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS), involving the procurement of Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) platforms and support platforms. The third involves the renewal of armoured capabilities through the acquisition of new-generation Main Battle Tank (MBT) platforms and their variants, intended to replace obsolete systems.

As regards naval vessels, the programme to develop a new generation of minesweepers will account for 152 million this year, 198 in 2027, 262 in 2028, and 904 million for the period from 2029 to 2031. For subsequent years, 1.1 billion euros have been allocated. There is no end date for the funding. The programme envisages the development of new Mine Countermeasures and Seabed Warfare vessels, as well as supporting infrastructure, featuring a high degree of automation and versatility thanks to their ‘multi-purpose-by-design’ approach. These units will replace obsolete ones and will be capable of supporting the Civil Protection Agency in the event of disasters, as well as carrying out activities for other ministries, such as environmental monitoring, the clearance of unexploded ordnance and the protection of submerged cultural heritage.

The “U-212” programme provides for Italian-German cooperation to maintain adequate capabilities within the maritime component of the Defence Forces for underwater surveillance in scenarios of strategic importance. The programme is funded from the budget of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy. In this case, we are talking about 359 million for this year, 257 for next year, 339 in 2028 and 560 million from 2029 to 2031. Finally, 539 million is earmarked for subsequent years. Here too, no end date has been set for the funding.