Defense Reform: New Rules on Cyber, Drones, and Military Leadership Begin

The reform package desired by Minister Guido Crosetto officially begins with the arrival of the first measure, consisting of 15 articles, on the table of the Council of Ministers. A deep reorganization that touches on cybersecurity, leadership structure, and technological equipment of the Armed Forces.

• Deputy Chief of Staff and Chiefs Committee: The measure introduces a special pensionable allowance for the Deputy Chief of Staff and transforms the Chiefs Committee into the highest advisory body of the Minister of Defense. Additionally, the Joint Training Center for countering hybrid threats is established.
• Research Fund (Firtsm): Article 12 establishes a specific fund at the Ministry of Defense, with an initial allocation of 10 million euros per year starting in 2026, aimed at financing investments in military scientific and technological research.
• Real estate disposal: The Ministry will be able to identify real estate assets to be allocated for exchange procedures with territorial entities, public companies, and private entities, in agreement with the State Property Agency.

Cyberspace and Military Cyber Specialist

• The perimeter of Cyber Defense: The national interest cyberspace formally enters the ordinary architecture of Defense. The perimeter includes IT infrastructures, OT cyber-physical systems, sensors, industrial control systems (ICS) on military platforms, and network equipment.
• Chain of command and certification: The Chief of Defense Staff formally assumes leadership of cyber operations, introducing the new role of Military Cyber Specialist (equipped with a specific certification) and the joint management of dedicated personnel, respecting the competencies of the National Cybersecurity Agency.

Operational rules for drones

• Unmanned aerial systems: The reform comprehensively regulates the use of military drones (defined as "Unmanned Military Aerial Systems") by the Armed Forces and the Carabinieri, establishing operational rules to be followed in national or foreign territory during emergencies, crises, or armed conflict.

The postponement of the voluntary reserve and the financial issue

• An operation in two stages: The second part of the reform, focused on the establishment of the voluntary reserve, has been temporarily postponed.
• The resource constraint: The halt is linked to the scarcity of financial resources and the wait for the September response on exiting the EU infringement procedure. The measure is subject to the approval of the national safeguard clause for budget flexibility on energy, defense, and security, which the Minister of Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti will soon present to Parliament.