Nations in Focus MT 5/2022 · 41 Leonardo’s assembly line for the M-346 MASTER fighter training aircraft in Torino Caselle. (All photos Leonardo except where otherwise stated) industrial complex is conceived as an export-oriented economic driver. Italian industries have often followed targets of opportunity, in the absence of a complex strategic vision and due to numerous difficulties (many of which stem from ideological or cultural prejudices). From a governmental perspective, the defence industry has often represented a way of creating employment opportunities that governments have failed to obtain through structural reforms. Depending on the colour of the government in power, some procurement programmes have followed the French and German attempt to build European independence/autonomy, others have continued the close collaboration with the US In general, labour-sharing and industrial offsets are seen as a low-risk strategy for good economic return, as well as a political confirmation of ties between Rome and its traditional allies. Over time, a third way has raised its head. Continued work on multinational programmes has allowed Italy to build a technology powerhouse that can today propose a growing number of products built with independent, proprietary technology, thus earning some degree of national independence in niche sectors. To sum up, despite difficulties and wavering national politics, the Italian defence industry is a key asset for the country, in line and sometimes superior to the world‘s leading groups. According to the Italian Federation of Defence and Aerospace Industries (AIAD) the Italian defence industry sector includes at least 183 companies, with more appearing every year as some technologies become dual use. The sector employs a direct workforce of 50,000 and creates employment Italy is a controversial country when it comes to defence policies. Theoretically pacifist by nature but deeply involved in numerous operations overseas, the country possesses one of the world’s most powerful defence industries, despite relatively poor internal demand for armaments. The Importance of the Defence Sector Italy is a country that does not excel in private initiative and entrepreneurship. The Italian defence industry was not created as a forge for the needs of the armed forces, and only occasionally serves the country’s foreign policy. Italian armed forces absorb barely 20-30% of national production capabilities, while export is the key to the defence industry’s sustainability in the long run (regardless of export law 185/90, one of the most restrictive in the world). In fact, having a strong defence industry means public investment in high-tech sectors whose knowledge base triggers positive cascading effects for civil industry. Without this engine, countries like Italy (and others in Europe such as France, Spain, Poland, and others) would be less developed than they are. Hence, the Italian defence Marco Giulio Barone is a political-military analyst based in Paris, and a regular contributor to Mönch publications. Marco Giulio Barone The Italian Defence Industry Base A Cornerstone of the National Economy A FALCO XPLORER, the latest Italian product in the MALE UAV segment. Italian expertise in the field is expanding. f
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