The Main Directions of the Development of Italian Armed Forces between 2017–2019

Abstract

Italy - defining itself as a ’middle power’ - is trying to handle the post-economic crisis decrease of defence expenditures by creating and carrying out multiannual programs The aim of these multiannual programs is to define the operational needs of Italian Armed Forces, including the directions of capacity development, the armament programs and their assigned financial resources, after defining the country’s strategic directions. The challenges emerging in Italy’s strategic regions –  Euro-Atlantic region, Euro-Mediterranean region, Middle-East –  need to be addressed by active participation in the NATO-UN-EU’s actions. However, by following the directions and programs of the multiannual programs, Italy should be able to possess adequate capabilities to handle non-conventional challenges emerging either within the state’s borders or in crisis zones.