Italy Unveils Ambitious Military Reform to Boost Personnel by 100,000 by 2040

Italy Plans Major Military Expansion by 2040

Italy is embarking on a comprehensive defense reform aimed at substantially strengthening its military capabilities, with plans to increase its personnel by 100,000 units by the year 2040. This ambitious initiative seeks to raise the total number of active military personnel from approximately 170,000 to 275,000. The reform, spearheaded by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, is designed to adapt Italy's armed forces to an increasingly unstable international landscape and meet the security requirements of NATO and the European Union.

Key Pillars of the Reform

The proposed reform encompasses several critical areas, reflecting a strategic overhaul of Italy's defense posture:

• Personnel Increase: The core of the plan involves a significant boost in military numbers, aiming for an additional 100,000 personnel by 2040. This includes the establishment of a stable operational reserve comprising 15,000 units.
• New Recruitment Models: To achieve these targets, new recruitment strategies will be introduced. These include a voluntary draft open to civilians aged 25 to 35, with an initial 12-month term renewable for another year. Notably, the reform also allows for the enlistment of foreign citizens legally residing in Italy for voluntary service periods.
• Cybersecurity Branch: A 'fourth force' dedicated to cybersecurity will be created, capable of integrating highly specialized civilian experts alongside military personnel to counter modern digital threats.
• Carabinieri Reinforcement: The Carabinieri force is also slated for significant strengthening, with an increase of 2,600 units and a multi-year plan for 7,600 extraordinary hirings.

Legislative Process and Financial Implications

The plan, developed by a strategic committee under Minister Crosetto, is expected to be presented as a draft law to the Council of Ministers by March 2026, paving the way for parliamentary review. The estimated cost for this personnel expansion is approximately 6 billion euros, which would increase annual personnel costs from 8.8 billion to nearly 15 billion euros. While the target of 275,000 personnel is set for 2040, some reports suggest the gradual increase in personnel could extend until 2044.

This reform also aligns with Italy's commitment to reach NATO's defense spending target of 5% of GDP by 2035. However, the proposal is anticipated to face internal opposition, with critics arguing that funds could be better allocated to other sectors such as healthcare and education.