The Italian government has approved a decree providing for the mobilisation of almost 3,000 military personnel in battle dress, ready to intervene rapidly in international crisis scenarios. This task force is part of the Allied Reaction Forces (ARF) of NATO and is designed to strengthen deterrence and security in major conflict areas.
High Readiness Forces
The Italian forces will be deployed as part of a new security arrangement, with the capacity to be deployed in just five days. The special battalion, consisting of 2,867 military personnel and an arsenal of land, sea, and air assets, will be ready to act in case of emergencies. The cost of the operation is around EUR 30 million and is included in the context of the new missions decree.
Ukrainian Military Training
The government also confirmed the extension of the training programme for the Ukrainian military in Italy until November 2026. Italy will provide up to 80 personnel for the training of Kiev's armed forces, as part of an initiative involving 25 other NATO countries.
Establishment of the Allied Reaction Force (ARF)
On 1 July 2024, NATO's new Allied Reaction Force (ARF) was officially established in Solbiate Olona, Italy, replacing the NATO Response Force (NRF). This step was an important evolution in Alliance defence, strengthening deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area.
The NATO Rapid Deployable Corps Italy (NRDC-ITA), based in Solbiate Olona, assumed command of the ARF for a period of three years, under the leadership of Army General Lorenzo Daddario, former commander of the Folgore Parachute Brigade and the 186th Parachute Regiment. The command had been validated through the Steadfast Deterrence 24 exercise.
The ARF continued training with exercises in 2024 and 2025 to ensure its readiness as an elite NATO force.
No Tanks in the Field
Despite the mobilisation, the Italian contingent will not deploy tanks, only light armoured vehicles. Experts believe that the use of tracked vehicles is not the best solution for a mission that aims at stabilisation and deterrence, rather than a direct confrontation with Moscow. Among the planned vehicles are the new Centaur 2, armoured vehicles with 120 mm cannon on eight driving wheels, which are more suitable for interposition and patrol scenarios.
Missions and Geopolitical Context
Italian forces could be deployed in various international scenarios, including Ukraine, the Middle East and the Red Sea, where the threat of the Houthi rebels continues. However, the deployment of troops will be subject to the approval of Parliament, which will have to evaluate the missions on a case-by-case basis.
Italy thus continues to strengthen its commitment to international security, balancing the need for deterrence with a prudent approach that avoids direct involvement in high-intensity conflicts.
