Edoardo Sirignano
April 16, 2024
«The attention is maximum. We always have a duty to mitigate any risks. Italy will do its part, but none of the European states, as Einaudi claimed, are able to support the cost of an autonomous defense”. This was stated by Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, Operational Commander of the Joint Forces Summit.
In light of what is happening in the Middle East, how should our country move?
«In complex situations, you must always be vigilant. We have contingency planning ready regarding our men and women abroad, just as we have initiated all procedures regarding the protection of our forces. Based on the directives given to us by Minister Crosetto and Admiral Cavo Dragone, Covi has implemented what was expected.”
Is Italy ready?
«As Minister Crosetto reiterated, Italy must certainly do more to be ready. The military instrument is used on the basis of government resolutions and with the authorization of Parliament. Having said that, we have a duty to be prepared for any eventuality. The international situation means that there must be a lot of caution and that we always plan as best we can.”
From this perspective, collaboration with other European Union countries is very important…
«There has been reflection on a common defense for several decades. In the evolution of the European process we started with a functionalist approach. Pragmatically, economic integration should also have led to political integration. De Gasperi himself, in 1952, inserted the clause that anchored military integration to political union. But the ratification process failed in France and in 1954 the project was shelved. There is still a lot to do regarding the coordination of actions. The same goes for what concerns perceived and declared common national interests. These should be the same, whether we are part of Northern or Southern Europe. In this sense, a greater effort is needed.”
What could be a sign?
«An EU defense commissioner could certainly be an important signal in this sense».
In the meantime, is a common treasure needed, considering the contingencies?
«Having economic resources is not enough to have military capabilities. There are procedures that must be carried out together. The same reasoning applies to staff training, for which very specific timing is needed. Some things cannot be improvised. Industrial synergy is essential. Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, EU member states have significantly increased their military spending. From a total of 240 billion euros in 2022, it went to 280 in 2023. There was a significant increase in military investments (+20%). However, there are still aspects that can be improved upon.”
What is it referring to?
«Each state spends on itself and coordinates little with the others. Furthermore, we continue to purchase too much outside Europe. We are trying to reverse the trend, but there is a lot to do. Positive news, for example, is the 500 million euros to increase the industrial production of missiles and artillery ammunition.”
What role can Italy play in this match, considering its historic role as mediator?
«A case that should make us reflect is the Aspides operation. Approved with unusual speed by the European Union (it could be done better), the mission to defend freedom of navigation in response to the Houthi attacks against ships in the Red Sea is working well and could indeed act as a model also with regards to the issue of European Defense with respect to new threats. We can talk about a real laboratory, where Italy is the protagonist, having the tactical command on board.”
