Gen. C.A. Masiello to Corriere: "The Army needs to be strengthened, and quickly". Summary and considerations of the long interview with the Chief of SME.

The Chief of Staff of the Army, General C.A. Paratrooper Carmine Masiello, stated, in a long interview with Corriere, the need for an immediate enhancement of Italy's defensive capabilities. The Commander of the Italian Army also emphasized the urgency of integrating advanced technologies and increasing the number of soldiers to face modern and imminent challenges.

During the ceremony for the 163rd anniversary of the Army, Masiello outlined his strategy to transform the Army into a technologically advanced armed force ready to respond quickly to any threat. "Italy must become a nation with real and credible deterrence capability", he stated.

Technological innovation and training: the pillars of the new strategy

The General proposed an ambitious modernization plan that emphasizes the adoption of innovative technologies and intensive training. Among the priorities, he highlighted the importance of reducing the acquisition times of new technologies and streamlining acquisition procedures to keep pace with the rapidly evolving world.

Masiello also stressed the need for a defense industry, both Italian and European, that understands current challenges and invests adequately to meet the needs of the armed forces. This approach is supported by the Minister of Defense, who has already begun working to accelerate acquisition procedures.

A focus on youth and the community

Masiello expressed a particular interest in involving young people in the process of renewing the army. "I focus on young people, I will listen to their ideas", he said, emphasizing how young people are essential to intercept technological and evolutionary changes.

Strengthening capabilities and personnel

In response to questions about Italy's current defense capabilities, the General clarified that, although Italy is not at war, the international situation requires a well-prepared army with sufficient human resources. He cited the need for at least 10,000 additional soldiers to adequately address international crises, an increase recently supported by Admiral Cavo Dragone, Chief of Defense Staff.

Values and integrity: essential foundations

Finally, Masiello emphasized the importance of traditional military values, which remain a fundamental pillar despite the evolution of military strategies and technologies. "Values are the guiding thread of the history of a military institution and do not allow for exceptions, hesitations, or reconsiderations", he concluded.

Final considerations

The vision outlined by General Carmine Masiello for the future of the Italian Army reflects a growing awareness of the challenges posed by the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

The emphasis on involving young people and technological innovation will not only better prepare Italy to face future threats but also encourages a culture of continuous evolution and adaptation that can serve as a model for other nations. Furthermore, the importance given to the values and integrity of the Army ensures that the development of military capabilities does not come at the expense of ethics and internal cohesion, also ensuring that the armed force remains in tune with the values and expectations of the society they serve.

The credibility of the Army in the eyes of civil society is fundamental to maintaining a bond of trust and mutual support. Through inclusion and respect for shared values, the Army not only gains in efficiency and operational readiness but also establishes itself as an entity that protects and represents the community in which it operates.

General Carmine Masiello emerges as a "modern" Commander, a true novelty for the Italian armed force. His approach represents a real breath of fresh air for the country, not only modernizing equipment and tactics by guiding the armed force towards a transformation that reflects the needs of a constantly evolving global context but also reinventing, or rather, reshaping the role of the military in society, making it more current and accessible while always in line with the values it represents.

In this way, the General not only modernizes equipment and tactics but profoundly renews the very identity of the Italian Army, positioning it as an innovative force first on the "domestic" scene, then, consequently, on the international one. A true cultural and social evolution.