In 2023, Guido Crosetto, head of Italy’s Ministry of Defense, announced a plan to reinforce the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Alliance with a substantial military deployment. The strategy involves deploying thousands of Italian personnel and aircraft to support allied security objectives, as reported by major Italian media sources. The plan specifies a significant personnel presence alongside a sizable air capability to carry out mission tasks in deterrence and defense roles along the alliance’s eastern edge.
The figures outline a broad contribution that includes hundreds of technical staff, maritime assets, and a robust air component. The deployment framework envisions several hundred technicians and a meaningful number of naval and air units structured to ensure readiness, interoperability, and rapid response in a highly dynamic security environment.
As part of the overall defense posture, the ministry outlined intentions to operate a ship equipped with advanced anti-aircraft and missile defense systems. This vessel would serve to strengthen the airspace protection and situational awareness of Poland and the wider Euro-Atlantic region within the Baltic Sea area. The goal is to provide a layered defense and to bolster maritime and aerial command and control capabilities in coordination with allied forces.
Earlier remarks from the minister indicated continued collaboration with Ukraine through training initiatives hosted on Italian soil. Ukrainian personnel would undertake specialized instruction at Italian military academies and facilities, focusing on a broad curriculum designed to enhance operational effectiveness and interoperability with European partners.
Additionally, the minister highlighted participation in EU-Ukraine training programs conducted in Belgium, Poland, and Germany. The aim of these programs is to deliver standardized training pipelines that support the development of Ukrainian forces while aligning with European security objectives and defense cooperation frameworks across several member states.