Italy's international missions for 2025 approved: more funds, more readiness, more global responsibility

With the approval by the Chamber of Deputies, Italy confirms its military and civil commitment in the main international theaters also for 2025. The measure, supported across the board by the government forces and part of the opposition, provides a total expenditure of approximately 1.5 billion euros, intended for the continuation and expansion of Italian missions abroad. These missions have as their objective the protection of peace, international cooperation, humanitarian support and the protection of human rights.

Of particular relevance among the innovations introduced is the Government's request to establish a contingent of forces with high and very high operational readiness. This is an unprecedented initiative in recent Italian history: a military unit ready to be deployed with an accelerated procedure in the event of a crisis or emergency, subject to authorization by Parliament and subsequent resolution by the Council of Ministers. This contingent may also be deployed in the context of NATO Rapid Reaction Forces (ARF), thus contributing to the collective defense of the Atlantic Alliance.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, reiterated the need to have a flexible, credible and reactive military instrument: «Our Armed Forces must be able to defend Italy and the stability of the Euro-Mediterranean area at all times. It is a duty that the current geopolitical context imposes on us.».

Missions in Europe, Middle East and Africa: between deterrence and training

Italy will continue to play a central role within NATO and the European Union, participating in numerous multilateral missions. Among these, theEU-M-A-M-Ukraine – the European military assistance mission to Ukraine – is extended until 15 November 2026. Italy will contribute by organizing training modules on its territory, with the aim of strengthening Ukrainian defensive capabilities at different levels: from basic to advanced and specialized.

At the same time, in the context of the Middle East, the Italian presence in Lebanon is extended through three distinct missions: UNIFIL (the United Nations peacekeeping force), MIBIL (the bilateral training mission to the Lebanese Armed Forces) and MIADIT (in support of Palestinian security forces). The Italian contingent will be able to count on a maximum of 1,650 units, with a device that also includes 376 land vehicles, 5 aircraft and 1 ship.

In West Africa, Italy will continue to support the authorities of Niger and Burkina Faso through the mission MISIN, particularly significant in an area affected by political instability and jihadist terrorism. The mission, which has trained over 9,000 local forces since 2018, will be reinforced in 2025 by a maximum contingent of 550 Italian soldiers, with an expected financial requirement of over 75 million euros.

New strategic priorities: operational readiness and internal security

The most innovative element of the 2025 plan concerns the creation of the Italian contingent at “high readiness”, within the NATO device of Allied Reaction Forces (ARF). According to the approved plan, Italy will be able to mobilize up to 2,867 soldiers, supported by 359 land vehicles, 15 aircraft and 4 ships, in case of emergencies or international crises. This measure is part of a broader strategy to strengthen deterrence and rapid reaction capacity on the eastern flank of the Atlantic Alliance.

In addition to the international fronts, the commitment of the Italian Armed Forces remains strong also at the national level. The operation “Strade Sicure”, born as a response to a temporary emergency, will be maintained throughout 2025 with the use of 6,800 soldiers, also in view of important events such as the Jubilee and major sporting events. General Portolano underlined the need to evolve the employment towards more dynamic forms, capable of guaranteeing greater effectiveness with smaller numbers, through mobile patrolling and coordination with the Prefectures.

Finally, there are also critical voices. The International Research Institute Archivio Disarmo has highlighted the growing complexity of the operational framework and the need for greater transparency in the strategic evaluation of missions. However, for Italy a clear choice is confirmed: to remain a leading player in international security, investing resources, capabilities and personnel in the defense of peace and global stability.