European Union countries will be able to significantly increase their defence spending, according to a plan announced by the…

Rome seeks to reinforce the Italian Army with new tanks, unmanned platforms and coastal missile squadrons.
According to a document leaked to Italian media that presents the country’s state budget, Italy’s defence procurement budget will increase by 43% by 2025.
The document also mentions 21 high mobility missile systems (HIMARS) as one of Rome’s top priorities. The US-made HIMARS is expected to cost 137 million euros ($145 million), raising total military spending to 960 million euros ($1 billion).
Italy will also allocate 100 million euros ($105 million) to buy Leopard 2 A8 tanks in 2024.
Furthermore, Italy’s Dardo armored fighting vehicles are to be decommissioned and replaced by new vehicles to be purchased and developed next year for 48 million euros ($50.8 million).
Rome will also set up a technology program to produce quadcopter drones in swarms in 2024, with a research and development budget of 76 million euros ($80.5 million).
Balancing NATO requirements
According to Defense News, Italy plans to acquire 133 new tanks so that the country’s Armed Forces can meet NATO requirements.
The increase in Rome’s military budget comes amid a declaration of support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
So far, Italy has contributed about 390 million euros ($413 million) in aid to Ukraine.
Source: The Defense Post
Also read: Italy | Stricter rules for immigrants
READ MORE
Shadow Unit | The Force Responsible for Holding the Hostages in Gaza
In the depths of its secret network of tunnels dug by Hamas under the Gaza Strip operates a shadow military unit, called the Shadow Unit…
Scandinavian dinner for 4 leaders with Trump on the menu
A few hours after Donald Trump’s latest “prophecy” from the presidential Air Force One, that the US will finally succeed in taking control…
European Committee | “Escape clause” for Defence Spending
European Union countries will be able to significantly increase their defence spending, according to a plan announced by the…
Greek-Indian Defence Cooperation | Greek UCAV SARISA SRS-2B as MV 1000 AMARAN in India
At the Aero India 2025 exhibition, Garuda Aerospace, one of the leading drone companies in India, showcased its latest…
DefencEduNet | Launch of the Branch at the University of Western Macedonia
On Saturday, 7 February 2025, the University of Western Macedonia launched the DefencEduNet Branch, a strategic collaborative initiative…
ALTUS LSA | Alongside with the Lethal KERVEROS in Cyprus at BATTLEFIELD ReDEFiNED 2024
ALTUS LSA, the Greek innovator in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology, showcased its novel solutions at BATTLEFIELD REDEFINED 2024 in Cyprus.
Italy | AI Reproduction of Defence Minister’s Voice to Extract Money
A new “technological fraud” has caused turmoil in Italy. A gang allegedly used Artificial Intelligence tools to reproduce the voice of…
HNDGS | Signing of the Greece-Cyprus-Egypt Joint Action Plan and the Greece-Egypt Military Cooperation Programme
On Tuesday, 4 February 2025, the “Greece – Cyprus – Egypt Joint Action Plan” and the “Greece – Egypt Military Cooperation Programme” for…