General Conserva: strengthening anti-missile and anti-drone defence. Reservists hypothesis
According to the Air Force Chief of Staff, Conserva, 'they could represent an invaluable resource and force multiplier'. Nodo organici: 'an increase in active duty and reserve personnel' is 'currently being considered by the Defence Staff'.
by Andrea Carli
3' min read
Key points
3' min read
In a rapidly changing geopolitical context, where challenges take on ever more articulated threats, faced with a scenario of 'global polycrisis' in which 'high-intensity regional conflicts' manifest a dangerous interconnection, Italy must set itself priorities. And these, according to the ideas dictated by Air Force Chief of Staff Antonio Conserva, speaking on Thursday 11 September at a hearing before the Chamber's Defence Commission, are at least a dozen at present. Among these, there is certainly the need for "a significant strengthening of our anti-missile and anti-drone defence capabilities", an indispensable step in the face of the "proliferation of new threats with advanced ballistic and cruise missiles, often hypersonic or with manoeuvred trajectories, or drones", a "devious and low-cost" threat.
"The war in Ukraine," Conserva recalled, "has clearly testified to these new dimensions of the threat: the hundreds of vectors launched every night, including drones, hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles, and the increase in Russian arms production rates, consistent with the transition to a 'war economy' system, show a reality and level of threat that was unimaginable a few years ago.
The consequence is that 'today, the area of direct responsibility of the Air Force extends from the lower atmosphere, where aircraft and drones operate, to outer space, where satellites orbit and hypersonic and intercontinental ballistic missiles transit'.
'While benefiting from the guaranteed support of the US shield,' warns the Air Force Chief of Staff, 'it is essential to develop a robust and autonomous national defence to effectively protect our territory, flanking and complementing that support.
Supplies: crucial for sustaining long-term missions
.Among the priorities is stockpiles, "often underestimated in the public debate and relegated to the background, but in reality the lifeblood of any prolonged and successful military operation," notes the Air Force Chief of Staff. "In this category are not only ammunition, but also spare parts for aircraft and other weapon systems, fuel and all materials essential for the conduct of operations. Without adequate supply, even the most modern flight lines, equipped with the most advanced systems and highly trained personnel, would quickly be incapacitated to operate, turning into ineffective resources." "An adequate level of stockpiles," the general points out, "is crucial for operational readiness and the ability to sustain long-duration missions.
