An interagency programme to modernise tactical intelligence

The Directorate of Air Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) recently took a significant step towards modernising the operational capabilities of the Italian Armed Forces by issuing the Preliminary Report and Determination to Contract for an ambitious inter-force programme. The project directly involves the Army General Staff, the Navy and the Joint Force Special Operations Command (COFS), and aims to acquire Mini-class, fixed-wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) systems with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL - Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capability.

At the heart of the programme is the need, shared at inter-force level, for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (SAPR) capable of performing missions of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (SRI), Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Target Acquisition (ISTAR) and geo-spatial image acquisition. These tasks are increasingly central in modern operational scenarios, ranging from tactical reconnaissance to target identification and continuous surveillance of sensitive areas.

The systems sought should be Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS), i.e. already available on the market, and supplied complete with spare parts, logistical support and engineering assistance, to ensure a complete and sustainable life cycle.

The initiative is part of theOperational Requirement 2022 'Enhancement of the Defence Aeronautical Remotely Piloted Aircraft (APR) Mini and Micro Capability'.approved by the Defence General Staff in May 2022. This requirement responds to the growing need for lightweight, flexible and highly transportable platforms, capable of operating in complex environments, both in urban contexts and in inaccessible territories.

91 UAV systems for Army, Navy and Special Forces

The DAAA, with the aim of coordinating investments and favouring the rationalisation of resources, approached all the components involved: the Army Staff, the Navy Staff and the COFS. All three commands expressed their concrete interest in the acquisition of the new Mini VTOL SAPRs, indicating the numerical requirements necessary for their respective operational needs.

The total number of systems required amounts to 91 units, each of which is to be deployable for an estimated ten-year technical-operational cycle. This lifetime will allow for extended and continuous use, reducing the need for replacements over time and minimising operational interruptions.

To meet this demand, the DAAA opted for a technical-administrative solution based on a Seven-year Framework Agreementwhich will be concluded with the company that won the tender. The aim is to ensure a simplified and consistent management of supplies, facilitating the implementation of successive and modular contracts according to the annual needs of the Armed Forces.

The maximum overall value of the Framework Agreement is estimated at 100 millionspread over seven financial years (2025 to 2031). This includes the initial supply of systems, spare parts, personnel training, logistical support and engineering assistance for the entire planned operational period.

Towards a more agile and advanced SRI capability

The use of VTOL fixed-wing mini UAVs reflects an increasing trend in modern armed forces: to equip themselves with lightweight, compact systems that can be rapidly deployed even in the absence of traditional infrastructure. The vertical take-off and landing capability allows operation from restricted areas, such as ship decks or wooded areas, increasing the tactical flexibility of deployed units.

For the Special Operations Command, in particular, the introduction of these SAPRs represents a force multiplier, thanks to the possibility of gathering information in real time during high-risk operations, without compromising the safety of operators.

The Army and Navy will also benefit from the availability of these systems, both in missions abroad and in surveillance and control activities in the national territory, helping to strengthen the overall security picture.

The DAAA initiative represents a concrete example of inter-force synergy and long-term planning within the Defence ISR capabilities. With the launch of the Framework Agreement and the subsequent contract award, the Italian Armed Forces will be able to count on an advanced and flexible tool, in line with the challenges of the 21st century.

The adoption of fixed-wing Mini VTOL UAVs is not just a technological step: it is a strategic choice that testifies to the will to enhance operational readiness, improve situational awareness and make the most of available resources through a shared vision between the Army, Navy and Special Forces.