Planned investments include modernising its tanks and building out its space capabilities. 

Italy has outlined its planned defence spending for the 2025 to 2027 period, outlining a significant increase over the 2024 budget, according to a budget document released by the Italian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 7 October. 

The total ‘ordinary defence budget’ for 2025 amounts to EUR31.2 billion, a 7.2% rise compared with last year, with spending set to hit EUR31.2 billion and EUR31.7 billion in 2026 and 2027, respectively.  

An additional document outlining the MoD’s investment plans in more detail earmarks significant funding for acquiring new equipment.  

In the land domain, Italy plans on spending EUR100 million this year modernising the country’s fleet of 125 Ariete tanks – the main battle tanks of the Italian Army – while also spending EUR140 million on the acquisition of “630 8x8 Freccia” infantry fighting vehicles. 

Other planned land purchases during this spending period include buying new light multirole tactical vehicles and amphibious armoured vehicles.  

Italy also plans on continuing to invest in its F-35s, with EUR735 million earmarked for 2025 for a “programme aimed at acquiring the fifth-generation F-35 weapon system”. Last year, Italy announced plans to equip its F-35B aircraft with the Joint Strike Missile from Kongsberg and the MBDA SPEAR (Selected Precision Effects at Range) 3 air-to-surface missile.  

In terms of its naval capacity, the MoD outlined a range of planned projects, including a EUR96 million initiative that “envisions the development of new mine countermeasures and seabed warfare units, featuring high levels of automation and versatility”.  

Italy will also invest in a programme that extends the operational life of its two existing Sauro-class submarines. 

The MoD outlined several planned investments into its space sector as well, including plans to develop an optical satellite system consisting of two satellites for Earth observation. A new communications satellite will also be developed to modernise the military’s space capabilities, at a cost of EUR80 million in 2025.  

“This is not simply a matter of increasing expenditure, but of making courageous and strategic choices, oriented towards the profound transformation of the military instrument, so that it is ready to face any kind of threat, at any time, and for as long as necessary”, Italy’s Minister for Defence, Guido Crosetto, said. 

This hike in spending has been partly enabled by Italy’s decision to sign up for a share of the EUR150 billion Security Action for Europe defence fund, at least EUR127 billion of which has already been requested by European countries.