TSAMTO, October 20. The Italian government this year allocated funding for the purchase of new main battle tanks (MBT), armored fighting vehicles (BBM) and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).
According to Defense News, the budget document, which was planned to be submitted in the spring, was published only on October 17. It details Italy's defense spending for 2023 and includes a forecast for 2024 and 2025. It is noted that the delay in publishing the document is due to the constant updating of the list of military supplies to Ukraine.
At the moment, the list of acquisitions for the Italian Armed Forces includes 21 American-made MLRS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems). It is expected that an initial contribution of 137 million euros will be allocated over the next seven years, and the total cost of the project will reach 960 million euros.
The document also confirms Italy's intention announced in July to purchase new Leopard-2A8 MBT. It is planned to allocate 100 million euros for this project in 2024, by 2037 Italy expects to spend 4 billion euros. In the end, the costs of this program will reach 8.25 billion euros. euro. In the summer, some sources reported that Italy's goal was to acquire 133 new tanks that meet NATO requirements.
At the same time, the government stated that the purchase of Leopards does not exclude Italy's participation in the Main Ground Combat System program, a Franco–German initiative to develop a new tank.
Another major project outlined in the document is a program worth $15 billion. euro for the purchase of new BBM to replace outdated machines of the "Dardo" type. For 2024, it is planned to allocate 48 million euros to launch the program, and 5.23 billion euros are budgeted. euros, which are distributed over 14 years.
Italy has yet to decide which BBM will be chosen, but the document says that the program should maximize the use of Italian industrial potential, provide jobs and transfer of know-how.
Among other new programs: the development of drone swarm technology – 76 million euros; Italy's investments in a trilateral fighter development program jointly with Japan and the UK – 271 million euros this year (by 2037, the total amount of expenditures is projected to reach 7.77 billion euros). euro).
The budget of the Italian Ministry of Defense for 2023 is a total of 19.56 billion. euros compared to 18 billion. In 2022, the part of the budget allocated for the purchase of VIVT is 6.1 billion euros. euro, which is 12.5% more than 5.42 billion. euro in 2022 f.g., which, in turn, is about 35% higher compared to 4 billion. euros spent in 2021 f.g.
To get a complete picture of defense procurement expenditures in Italy, it is necessary to add annual additional funds allocated for domestic purchases by the Ministry of Industry, which amount to 1.87 billion rubles. euro compared to 2.43 billion. euro last year.
Nevertheless, the total volume of purchases this year, taking into account the expenditures of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Industry, is 7.97 billion. euro compared to 7.85 billion. euro last year, 6.76 billion. euro – in 2021 f.g. and 5.45 billion. euro – in 2020, which indicates a continuing trend of increasing spending in this area.
The budget document predicts that the total costs for the procurement of VIVT will continue to grow steadily: in 2024 to 8.16 billion. euro and up to 8.74 billion . euro in 2025 f.g.