From Ariete tanks to sixth generation fighters, here are all the Defense investments

Over six billion euros to strengthen the heavy component of the Italian Army from 2026 to 2031, plus eight billion for the following years. But also, of course, in the sixth generation fighter, the Gcap. Here the stake is 875 million for this year, 695 in 2027, 152 in 2028, then 866 from 2029 to 2031. Finally, six billion in the following years, with a financing deadline set at 2937.

The indications are contained in the annex to the Multiannual Defense Planning Document 2026 - 2028, which was examined by the Senate Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, and which Il Sole 24 Ore consulted. The document provides detailed elements about the ministry's individual investment projects, outlining their programmatic and financial contours.

Defines the strategic lines, objectives and financial plan for the modernization of the military instrument. It is sent to Parliament every year and subsequently there will be a hearing with the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, to report to the Chambers.

These are investments that received the green light from Brussels, when the green light was given to the flexibility provided by the clause for the increase in defense spending within a maximum of 0.3 percentage points of GDP per year in 2027 and 2028.

As regards heavy combat vehicles, the program concerns the strengthening of the heavy component of the Italian Army through three lines of action. The first concerns the modernization of the Ariete tanks. The second concerns the project called Army Armored Combat System (A2CS) with the acquisition of platforms of the Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV) type and support platforms. The third involves the renewal of armored capacity through the acquisition of new generation Main Battle Tank (MBT) platforms and derived versions, intended to replace obsolete systems.