The composition of the ground forces of Italy in the 2nd mv. Army of Italy: size, uniform and ranks
Italy is one of the largest in the EU and NATO in terms of population, size of the economy and, accordingly, military potential, however, the pan-European trends of a significant reduction in the Armed Forces have not bypassed it either.
The country has a very powerful military-industrial complex capable of producing military equipment almost all classes. Level of training personnel Italian army traditionally considered very low, however, now it has fallen across Europe, so "pasta" has ceased to stand out as the worst. Like most southern European countries, Italy does not dispose of a significant part of obsolete and decommissioned equipment, but leaves it in warehouses.
Ground troops
Behind last years experienced many organizational transformations. On this moment divisions were again restored in them, of which there are three. The SV also includes three separate brigades and four commands.
The division "Tridentina" (headquarters in Bolzano) is a mountain infantry division, it includes the Alpine brigades "Taurinense" (Turin) and "Julia" (Udine).
Division "Friuli" (Florence) - "heavy". It has three brigades: the armored "Ariete" (Venice), the mechanized "Sassari" and the "Pozzuolo de Friuli" (Bologna).
The division "Aqui" (San Giorgio, Naples), being "middle", includes the brigades "Garibaldi" (Caserta), "Pinerolo" (Bari) and "Aosta" (Messina), the last two mechanized.
Separate brigades: Folgore parachute (Livorno), communications and electronic warfare (both in Anzio), support (Solbiate Olona).
The command of the MTR (Pisa) has 4 parachute and 3 helicopter regiments. Army Aviation Command (Viterbo) consists of one brigade. The air defense command includes 3 regiments (4, 17, 121st), the support command - 6 (MLRS, RHBZ, self-propelled guns, two engineering and railway).
Carabinieri can be considered as an integral part of the ground forces. These are 2 divisions, 1 brigade and regional divisions. Subordinating to the command of the Armed Forces, they solve various tasks of a police nature throughout the country as a whole. The level of their combat training is higher than the military personnel of the Armed Forces. Carabinieri are armed with a certain number of armored personnel carriers, light aircraft and helicopters, which are taken into account in the total number of equipment.
tank park consists of 197 C1 "Ariete" of its own production, created on the basis of the German. The BMTV V-1 "Centauro" with a 105-mm gun is often considered as a "wheeled tank". There are 300 such machines. Of the 317 BRMs, 14 are French VAB-RECO NBC, the rest are their own Pumas. All BMPs are their own: 172 Freccia, 198 VCC-80 Dardo. Armored personnel carrier - about 2000: 148 Swedish Bv-206, up to 560 native VCC-1, up to 1190 VCC-2, 250 Pum, 57 Fiat-6614, 17 American amphibious AAV-7.
Artillery includes 96 old American M109 self-propelled guns and 70 newest German RzN-2000, 72 British FH-70 towed guns, up to 1000 mortars, 22 American MLRS MLRS. There are 173 of the latest Israeli Spike ATGMs, including 36 self-propelled on the chassis of the Freccia infantry fighting vehicle, 702 American Tou (270 self-propelled on the M113 armored personnel carrier), 714 old French Milan.
Ground air defense has 10 batteries of the American Hawk air defense system (60 launchers), 6 batteries of the latest French SAMP / T air defense system (36 launchers), 24 batteries of its own Skygard-Aspid short-range air defense systems, 145 American Stinger MANPADS, 96 of its own ZRPK SIDAM.
Army Aviation has 7 light transport aircraft (3 Do-228, 4 P-180), 60 combat AW129 "Mongoose" and more than 300 multi-purpose or transport helicopters (21 AW109, 37 A109, up to 63 AB-412, 22 CH-47, 1 NH90 , up to 61 AB-205, up to 84 AB-206, 30 AB-212). Almost all aircraft of our own production.
air force
The Italian Air Force consists of six commands: combat, tactical, training, rear, two regional (northern and southern).
Italy became the first outside the United States to begin licensed production of American F-35A fighters. She currently owns 7 of these machines. In addition, 75 of the latest European Typhoon fighters, in the production of which Italy itself participates (62 IS, 13 combat training IT), 72 German-British-Italian Tornado IDS bombers, 28 own MB339CD and 55 Italian-Brazilian AMX attack aircraft. 4 obsolete base patrol aircraft "Breguet-1150 Atlantic" can also be attributed to combat aircraft.
The Air Force is armed with 1 Gulfstream-3 RER aircraft, 4 Boeing-767 MRTT tankers and 1 KS-130J, up to 100 transport workers (19 C-130J, 13 C-27J, up to 3 P-166, 27 P- 180, 24 S-208, 3 A319CJ, 2 Falcon-50, 7 Falcon-900). There are 40 UBS MB-339A and purely training: 31 SF-260EA, 7 latest T-346, 9 German Grob-103. Helicopters: 85 NH-500, up to 7 HH-3F, 30 AB-212, 2 SH-3D, 10 AW139, 13 HH-139A, 2 VH-139A, 10 UH-139, 2 HH-101.
Italy is one of two NATO countries (the other is Great Britain) that received combat UAVs from the United States - 5 RQ-1B and 1 MQ-1B Predator, 3 MQ-9 Reaper.
The Aviano VVB stores 50 nuclear B-61s for the US Air Force, and the Gedi Tore VVB holds 20 similar bombs for the Italian Air Force.
Navy
The most powerful type of the country's armed forces, and all combat units built in our own shipyards.
There are 2 newest submarines Salvatore Todaro (German project 212), 2 more are under construction, 4 of the Sauro type. The aircraft carriers Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi are in service with the Navy. They are the only Western ones in their class that carry, in addition to carrier-based aircraft, not only short-range air defense systems, but also strike weapons, including anti-ship missiles. In fact, they, like Russian ships, should be classified as aircraft-carrying cruisers. "Cavour", in addition, can be used as a UDC. The decommissioned cruiser-helicopter carrier Vittorio Veneto is in the sludge.
There are 4 modern destroyers - 2 "Andrea Doria" and "Luigi Durand de la Penne" each, in the sludge - 2 old destroyers of the "Audace" type. Frigates: 4 newest "Bergamini" (Italian-French project FREMM, it is supposed to have 10 in total), 2 "Artillere", 7 "Maestrale".
The Navy, as well as the Coastal and Financial Guards, have a significant number of corvettes, patrol and patrol ships: 4 Minerva, 4 Cassiopeia, 4 Esploratore, 2 Sirio, 4 Commandanti, 1 Zara, 6 Saettia plus about 300 patrol boats. In the ranks are 2 minesweepers "Lerici" and 8 "Gaeta", 3 DVKD "San Giorgio".
Naval aviation It is armed with 16 AV-8B Harrier fighters with vertical takeoff for two aircraft carriers. It also includes 3 base patrol aircraft P-180 and 7 ATR-42, 11 transport R-166, helicopters: 50 anti-submarine (5 EH-101ASW, up to 36 AB-212ASW), 4 AWACS (EN-101), 2 RER (АВ-212ASW-EW), more than 70 transport and multipurpose (10 ЕН-101, up to 12 SH-3D, 18 АВ-206, 21 АВ-412, 1 AW139, 11 AW109, 9 А109).
Marines consists of the regiment "San Marco". It is armed with 40 VCC-2 and 18 AAV-7 armored personnel carriers, 14 Brandt mortars, 6 Milan anti-tank systems and 6 Spike.
A group of US troops is stationed in Italy. It includes the 173rd Airborne Brigade (Vicenza), the 31st Fighter Wing (Aviano, armed with 21 F-16s), a squadron of 9 R-3C base patrol aircraft (Sigonella). In Gaeta (near Naples) is the headquarters of the 6th operational fleet of the US Navy.
In general, the current potential of the Italian Armed Forces is quite enough to solve the only task within the framework of NATO and the EU - limited participation in collective police operations on the territory of developing countries. For a serious operation, at least in its former colony of Libya, plunged into chaos with the active participation of Italy itself, its army is incapable - it will have to shed a lot of its own blood. For Europeans, this is out of the question today.
Abyssinia
The area of Abyssinia was 3.5 times the area of Italy (without colonies). The capital Addis Ababa was located almost in the center of the country. Abyssinia could become Italy's resource base, as its subsoil was rich in minerals, including gold and oil. Diverse climatic conditions countries and fertile soils made it possible to develop agriculture (2-3 crops per year), cattle breeding, cotton growing, etc. Abyssinia was a poor agricultural country. At the same time, there was little bread, and during the war it was bought in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The main export commodities were raw leather and coffee. Industry was present only in the form of handicrafts.
Abyssinia is distinguished by the fact that most of the territory is filled with high uplands, on which terrace-like mountains of an average height of 2500-3500 meters rise. They are separated by a wide depression (fault) in the center of the country, which begins in the depths of Africa, in the region of Lake Tanganyika. The depression ends at the Red Sea and divides the mountains into the northern (Eritrean) and southern (Somali) ranges.
Mountain gorges are impassable. The Eritrean mountains represent a series of lines for consistent defense by the front to the north and northeast. The northern part of the Eritrean Ridge is in Eritrea, which made it easier for the Italians to launch an offensive. The mountainous terrain of the country facilitated defense and partisan operations, and at the same time worsened the possibility of using equipment. The most convenient for the offensive was the strip in the fault area. But here, to the east, was the Danakil Desert. Thus, for the blitzkrieg, troops were needed ready to fight in the mountain and desert theater, and the corresponding equipment.
From the waterfront highest value played the river Takkeze with tributaries. On the northern front, the border line was the Mareb River. Lake Tana, which was important for irrigating the cotton plantations of Sudan and Egypt (the Blue Nile flowed from it), was the subject of a dispute between England and Italy. On the Blue Nile in the Sennar region, the British built a dam in 1925 to irrigate the fields. This grandiose structure gave Britain a reason to demand control over the regime of the Blue Nile in northwestern Abyssinia. In the south, in the fault area, a chain of lakes and a number of rivers flowing from the Somali Range covered Addis Ababa from Italian Somalia. In many areas of the east of the country, during the period of drought, the problem of water supply was acute. The main forest tracts were located in the basin of the Takkaze River and along the rivers of the southern slope of the Somali Range. These forests allowed for partisan operations.
From June to September, the so-called. a period of "great rains", which created great difficulties in the use of mechanized transport, and also seriously raised the level of rivers and other bodies of water. Therefore, the Italian command planned a blitzkrieg, what to complete fighting before the big rains. In addition, in the region of the Somali Ridge and Addis Ababa there was still a period of "small rains" - from March to May (they were brought by monsoons from indian ocean).
In Abyssinia, the road network was poorly developed. Almost all the paths were for pack transport. The so-called. "imperial" route - caravan road from Eritrea to Addis Ababa. The same paths led from the south to the second most important city in Ethiopia - Harar. The road between Addis Ababa and Dessier, with appropriate repairs, allowed vehicular traffic. This road could be extended to the port of Assab, which the Italians took into account. The Ethiopian capital was connected by a single-track railway to the French port of Djibouti, but this road was a French concession. In addition, the Abyssinians could use two roads to communicate with the outside world (during the war with Italy). Two roads went from Addis Ababa to Gallabat and Kurmuk (Sudan), one road from Harar to British Somalia. These routes could be used to obtain grain and ammunition. Thus, there were few communications in Abyssinia, which required serious road work and road protection from the Italians.
The population of the country totaled 12 million people. The main core of the population was the Amhara group (5 million people). Their language was dominant. Abyssinia was dominated by feudal and patriarchal structures. Between the emperor (negus) and the big princes (races) there were major contradictions on issues of domestic policy related to the modernization of the country, the creation of a centralized state, a regular army and reforms aimed at the final elimination of slavery. Separate races, dissatisfied with the policy of centralization and modernization of the country, which led to the loss of power and income, rebelled more than once and had connections with European powers interested in the weakness of Ethiopia. As a result, Italy could rely on Ethiopian collaborators, traitors who put their personal interests above national ones. In addition, contradictions were growing between the feudal class and the peasant masses, mostly landless. In Ethiopia, uprisings began more than once.
Thus, the external enemies of Ethiopia could use some of the feudal lords who were dissatisfied with the modernization of the country, as well as national and religious contradictions. The technical backwardness of the country, poorly developed transport and communications, lack of food security, the presence of dependent tribes and slaves weakened the country's defense capability.
Benito Mussolini meets Ethiopian traitors in Rome
The armed forces of the parties to the beginning of the war. Italy
The Italian command, preparing for war, proceeded from two main conditions. First, due to political complications in Europe, it was impossible to weaken the armed forces in Italy. Therefore, instead of the divisions sent to Africa, new ones were immediately formed. As a result, the army in the metropolis not only did not decrease, but even increased. Mussolini boasted that he would keep the conscripts of 1911-1914 under arms. birth until he sees fit, and that "900 thousand soldiers fully ensure our security ... They are equipped with the latest, released ... military factories," which "work at full speed for several months."
Secondly, it was recognized that it was necessary to send such a force to Abyssinia in order to end the war as soon as possible. Already during the war, as it became clear that nothing threatened Italy in Europe and the world community was indifferent to the tragedy of Abyssinia (except for the USSR), Italy carried out additional mobilization and strengthened the colonial group.
Italian soldiers go to Abyssinia
The Italian troops were three types divisions:
Regular troops consisted of mobilized soldiers. They had good combat training.
Blackshirt divisions - voluntary militia national security. These were the armed detachments of the National Fascist Party, organized by Mussolini. They included representatives of the nationalist intelligentsia, retired officers, bourgeois youth, and landowners. The Blackshirts, although inferior in combat training to regular troops, had a high morale, so they were interspersed in army corps and task forces.
The colonial (native) divisions did not have a firm organization and were included in the regular troops. They were fairly well trained and knew the local conditions well. But these units did not enjoy the full confidence of the command, so they were distributed between regular and fascist formations. Thus, the expeditionary army had a rather motley composition.
Italian gunners
The first mobilization order was announced on February 5, 1935. By the end of August 1935, the mobilization of troops, originally intended for the war with Abyssinia, was completed. In general, 5 regular, 4 black-shirt (fascist) and 2 native divisions were mobilized in several stages and sent to war. In addition, separate militia, police and native units that were not part of the divisions were formed and sent to the front. This amounted to more than 270 thousand soldiers. Together with the mobilized workers - 30 thousand Italians and 45 thousand local population of Eritrea and Somalia, up to 350 thousand people were concentrated on the Abyssinian front at the beginning of the war. Already during the war, Italy transferred reinforcements. The Italian forces increased to 500 thousand people, including 9 divisions of the regular army (7 infantry, 1 Alpine and 1 motorized), 6 divisions of the fascist militia. At the end of the war, the expeditionary army consisted of up to 21 divisions, including 7 blackshirt and 4 colonial divisions, 1 cavalry brigade and 35 separate battalions. Thus, Italy formed a powerful expeditionary army to end the war in short time and not prolong the fighting.
Italian troops were equipped according to local conditions. In addition, they tried to ensure that the contingents could quickly get used to local conditions. Natives were sent to infantry divisions that were transferred to the Eritrean (Northern) front high mountain areas Italy; troops destined for the Somali (Southern) front were replenished with natives of Sicily, as well as people who had experience living in the subtropical and tropical conditions of South and Central America. Colonial (native) troops were replenished with the indigenous population of Eritrea, Somalia and Libya. The population of Eritrea and Somalia provided up to 15% of the expeditionary army.
Italy was quite seriously preparing for the war, the lessons of the last war, which ended in defeat, were remembered. The troops underwent a course of tactical training in the highlands. For officers, many of whom knew the conditions of colonial service, special courses were organized. The Italian General Staff issued a special instruction for action in the Abyssinian theater. The troops received the task that, having captured a certain area, they carefully mastered the occupied territory, built roads, bridges, and organized the work of the rear. It was necessary to continue offensive operations. Before the war, Italy organized an intelligence network in Ethiopia that studied the country, bribed the feudal lords,
and carried out subversive propaganda. This activity was facilitated by the absence of the Abyssinian security service and the use of diplomatic, trade, scientific and research missions.
Taking into account the fact that Britain could block the main communication through Suez, Italy took seriously the preparation of the areas of concentration of the expeditionary army in Eritrea and Somalia. If necessary, they were to become the main bases for the army. Ports were expanded, roads, airfields, etc. were built. First of all, the possibilities of ports in Eritrea were increased. So, after the modernization, the main port of Massawa could receive more than 40 instead of 2-3 steamers per day. The port of Assa was also reconstructed, in Italian Somalia - the ports of Mogadishu and Bandar Qasim. In addition to the existing railways, the Massawa-Asmara line was built, Mogadishu-Lug was under construction. Since the main forces were concentrated in the north, apart from railway, the Massawa-Asmara highway and the cable car were built. The ports of Mogadishu and Bandar Qasim were connected by a highway. The airfield network was equipped and communication lines were laid. To ensure a calm concentration of incoming troops in the border zone, small forts with wire fences were prepared. They were initially defended by colonial troops, and then regular units began to be located behind them. However, the Abyssinians did not interfere with the enemy, they only hastily strengthened their border posts.
Great attention was paid to the water supply of the army, which was especially important in the eastern part of Ethiopia, where droughts occurred. Special units were introduced into the expeditionary army, which, on the one hand, were supposed to build a network of artesian wells, on the other hand, to deliver water to the troops by tank trucks (200 cars, 2500 liters each, for 10 thousand people) and transport aircraft in desert areas. To accommodate troops in the hot regions of Eritrea and Somalia, barracks were built from materials with low thermal conductivity. In the main points of the colonies, warehouses for supplies were built, refrigerators for meat were placed. The ration of a soldier of the expeditionary army consisted of bread, meat, sugar, coffee, canned vegetables, fats and spices. The wearable supply of a soldier consisted of 2 liters of water, a 4-day ration of food (crackers and canned food). For this, personal ammunition had to be reduced from 200 to 110 rounds.
The general command of the Italian troops in East Africa was carried out by General Emilio de Bono (from November 1935 - Field Marshal Pietro Bodoglio). Italy deployed the main strike force in Eritrea, where 10 regular and fascist divisions arrived. Of these, the Northern Front was formed, first consisting of 3, and then 5 corps (75% of all forces of the expeditionary army). The front struck at Dessier (Dessie) and further on the Ethiopian capital. At the end of the war, there were 5 corps on the Northern Front and two groups of generals Couture and Mariotti to provide flanks. The southern front in Somalia was of auxiliary importance and was supposed to tie up as many Ethiopian troops as possible, advancing in the direction of Harer and Addis Ababa. Here the troops were combined into two operational groups (up to two divisions). The southern front was commanded by Rodolfo Graziani. There was also a central operational direction (up to one division). The troops of the Central Front were supposed to secure the flanks and communications of the Northern and Southern groups and advance from the Assab area in the direction of Dessier.
Italy is one of the most active members of the aggressive NATO bloc, its military-political course is aimed at close cooperation with the United States and other countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, in matters of constant military buildup of which the Italian government takes a firm stance.On about. In Sicily, in the Comiso region, work is underway to build a base for US land-based cruise missiles. According to foreign press reports, the first 16 missiles delivered to the base in November 1983 were put on operational readiness at the end of March 1984.
Italy is fulfilling its NATO commitment to increase military spending by 3% annually. in real terms and supports the US proposal for their annual 4% growth. As the Western press notes, Italy's military spending in 1983 increased by 17.7 percent compared to 1982. and amounted to 11889 billion lire. Their share in the gross national product is 2.4 percent, and in the state budget - 5.1.
The military-political leadership of the country takes an active part in resolving the issue of standardizing weapons and military equipment states of the bloc, in the joint development and production of new types of weapons systems.
According to foreign experts, the Italian government follows the lead of the US administration and supports their aggressive course in all major international issues. The development and deepening of all-round cooperation with the United States is viewed in Rome as the main condition for ensuring the "security" of the country and enhancing its role in the international arena.
In an effort to raise its profile, Italy is in favor of limiting nuclear weapons in Europe. However, she did not support the peace initiatives of the USSR, in particular, on the non-use of the first nuclear weapons, and endorsed the US decision to produce neutron weapons. Moreover, it has provided its air and naval bases to the US Air Force and Navy, which are armed with nuclear weapons.
According to the Western press, Italy, occupying a favorable strategic position in the basin mediterranean sea, makes a significant contribution to NATO's military buildup on the bloc's southern flank. Italy's "new model of defense" in force since 1982 declares the Mediterranean region a zone of "vital interests" of the country. Under this region, the former chief of the general staff, Admiral of the squadron J. Torrisi, understands the area that includes the Mediterranean and Black Sea, as well as the Middle East, the Red Sea, the oil-bearing regions of the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East. The territory of Italy is considered by the military-political leadership of NATO as an important springboard for conducting military operations against the countries of the socialist community. In accordance with the above-mentioned “new defense” model, the construction of the Italian armed forces is being carried out.
Bodies of the highest military command. The Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces is the President of the Republic, who heads high council Defense, which includes the chairman of the council of ministers, a number of ministers (foreign affairs, interior, treasury, defense, finance, industry and trade) and the chief of the general staff.
The overall command of the armed forces is Ministry of Defence(consists of five central and 19 main directorates) through the general headquarters and main headquarters of the branches of the armed forces, and the operational one - the general headquarters. Directly to the Minister of Defense, who is appointed from among civilians, reports general secretary, coordinating the activities of all departments of the ministry and being its chief adviser on recruitment, logistics, modernization of weapons and military equipment. The Minister of Defense has an advisory body - the Defense Committee, which develops recommendations on improving the structure and re-equipment of the troops and naval forces, increasing their combat readiness, etc. The main headquarters of the branches of the armed forces are directly responsible for the training, condition and combat use of the corresponding type.
In military and administrative terms, the territory of Italy is divided into six military districts: Northwestern, Northeastern, Tuscany-Emilian, Central, Southern and Sicilian with headquarters respectively in the cities of Turin, Padua, Florence, Rome, Naples and Palermo. The military command of Fr. Sardinia (headquarters in Cagliari). District commanders are responsible for combat readiness, operational and combat training of subordinate troops, and in crisis situations - for the organization and implementation of measures for the mobilization and operational deployment of units and formations.
The armed forces of Italy consist of ground forces, air force and navy. Their total strength reaches 373.1 thousand people, including: ground forces - 258 thousand, air force - 70.6 thousand, navy - 44.5 thousand.
Ground troops includes field and territorial troops. They are directly managed by the chief of the main staff of the ground forces (he is also the commander) through the headquarters and inspectorates of the military branches and services. He plans and organizes operational and combat training, develops an organizational and staffing structure, plans for construction, mobilization and operational deployment, and also constantly monitors daily activities subordinate headquarters, formations, units and military schools.
In the combat composition of the ground forces there are: three headquarters of army corps, one armored ("Ariete") and three mechanized ("Centauro", "Mantova" and "Folgore") divisions, 13 separate brigades(two mechanized, five motorized infantry, five alpine and one parachute), a separate rocket brigade "Aquileia", five separate artillery and one anti-aircraft artillery regiment, two regiments of the "Improved Hawk" missile defense system, four separate regiments of army aviation, other units and subunits of combat and rear support.
According to foreign press reports, they are armed with six Lance missile launchers, more than 1,700 Leopard-1, M60A1 and M47 tanks, 4,500 other armored vehicles for various purposes, over 1,300 field artillery pieces (of which 36,203, 2 mm nuclear guns, 36 175 mm Ml 07, 260 155 mm M109, 164 155 mm FH70), up to 900 mortars of caliber 81 and 120 mm. From anti-tank weapons there are ATGM "Toy" (about 300 launchers), "Milan" and SS-11, over 1200 75 and 106 mm recoilless guns, and from anti-aircraft weapons - SAM "Improved Hawk" (132 launchers) and 40-mm anti-aircraft guns guns (up to 260 units). The army aviation has 480 aircraft and helicopters, including five A.109 Hirundo helicopters with Toy ATGMs.
Field Troops(223 thousand people) form the basis of the group of ground forces deployed in peacetime in northern Italy, which is allocated for transfer to the operational subordination of the NATO command in the South European theater of operations. The field forces include two headquarters of the army corps (3rd and 5th) and the headquarters of the Alpine army corps (4th), four divisions, nine separate brigades (one mechanized, three motorized infantry and five alpine), a separate missile brigade, two Regiment ZUR "Improved Hawk", parts of combat and logistics support.
Territorial troops(35 thousand people) are intended for combat operations with enemy air and sea landings, protection of important objects in the communications zone (mainly in the central and southern regions of Italy). in peace and war time they are under the operational control of the national command. They include four separate brigades (mechanized, two motorized infantry, parachute), units of combat and logistics support.
With a general mobilization, the territorial troops are considered by the Italian command as a base for the formation of new units and formations. In the event of deployment, it is planned to recruit over 540 thousand people into the ground forces and bring their number to 800 thousand.
According to the views of the Italian command, the highest tactical unit of the ground forces is the army corps, the numerical and combat composition of which is determined by the nature of the tasks assigned to it. It may include one to three divisions, several separate brigades, separate artillery and helicopter regiments. So, 3rd Army Corps(about 24 thousand people), which, according to Italian experts, will operate in the second echelon of the group of forces, in peacetime includes the Centauro mechanized division and the Cremona separate motorized infantry brigade. The 5th Army Corps (about 66 thousand people), intended for operations in the first echelon, has two mechanized ("Mantova" and "Folgore") and armored ("Ariete") divisions, a separate command of the Trieste troops (equated to a motorized infantry brigade ) and a separate missile brigade. Part 4th Alpine Army Corps(about 32 thousand people) includes five separate Alpine brigades, as well as parts of strengthening combat and logistics support.
Mechanized division(over 17 thousand people) is the main tactical unit of the ground forces. It has two mechanized and one tank brigade, an armored cavalry reconnaissance battalion, two artillery battalions of 155-mm FH70 howitzers, three battalions (communications, engineering and logistics) and an army aviation squadron. It is armed with: 221 medium tank"Leopard-1", 90 155-mm howitzers, 56 120-mm mortars, 69 81-mm mortars, 54 ATGM "Toy", 24 40-mm anti-aircraft guns and 12 AV.206 helicopters.
Armored division(about 16 thousand people) is also the main tactical formation of the ground forces. Unlike the mechanized brigade, it consists of two tank and one mechanized brigade. It has the same divisional units and subunits as the mechanized one. The division is armed with 272 medium tanks, 90 155-mm howitzers, over 90 mortars of 81 and 120 mm calibers, 54 ATGM "Toy" launchers (of which 36 are self-propelled), 24 40-mm anti-aircraft guns and 12 AV.206 helicopters.
Brigades, both separate and included in the divisions, have an identical organizational and staffing structure: the tank one consists of two tank (51 tanks each) and one mechanized battalion, and the mechanized (motorized infantry) - of three mechanized (motorized infantry) and one tank. In addition, the brigade has an artillery battalion (18 guns), an anti-tank company (18 ATGM launchers) and a logistics battalion. Separate Alpine brigades (three or four Alpine battalions, two or three field artillery divisions) do not have tanks.
Delivery vehicles for nuclear weapons of the Italian ground forces are concentrated mainly in a separate rocket brigade "Aquileia": the Lance missile defense division (six launchers) and two artillery divisions (36 203.2-mm howitzers). In addition, the 155-mm FH70 howitzers available in artillery battalions are adapted to fire nuclear weapons. The United States has stockpiled in Italy, according to the Italian press, more than 800 nuclear munitions.
In 1976, a ten-year program for the construction of the Italian armed forces was adopted. Due to financial difficulties, the deadline for its implementation was extended until 1991. By this time, the number of divisions and brigades in the ground forces is planned to remain unchanged, but their combat capabilities will increase significantly due to the arrival of new weapon systems and military equipment. The supply of Leopard-1 tanks to the troops instead of the M47, 155-mm FH70 howitzers, Toy and Milan ATGMs, VCC-1 and -2 infantry fighting vehicles continues. Started own production 155-mm self-propelled howitzers "Palmiria". To increase the capabilities of units and subunits in combating enemy tanks, it is planned to receive Milan ATGMs, Folgore grenade launchers and new A.129 Mongusta helicopters.
Italian Air Force form the basis of NATO 5 OTAK in the South European theater of operations. Their main tasks are: gaining and maintaining air superiority, providing close air support to the ground forces and the Navy, isolating the combat area, covering troops and important objects from enemy air strikes, aerial reconnaissance and ensuring the actions of the Navy in the Mediterranean Sea together with aviation of the 6th US fleet.
Organizationally, the Air Force has 11 aviation wings [ Wing considered the main aviation unit, It consists of a headquarters, three groups (aviation, maintenance and logistics), command and control units and support services. The aviation group includes one or two squadrons, which are the main tactical units capable of operating both independently and as part of a wing. The number of aircraft depends on the mission of the squadron: in the fighter-bomber squadron - 18, and in the fighter and reconnaissance squadron - from 12 to 16. - Ed.] combat aviation (over 260 aircraft), three air wings, a transport aviation brigade of auxiliary aviation and a Nike missile defense brigade Hercules (72 launchers, 16 of which have missiles with a nuclear warhead).
Combat aviation includes tactical aviation and air defense fighter aircraft. The first has six fighter-bomber squadrons (18 Tornado aircraft, 54 F-104S, 36 G.91Y) and five reconnaissance aircraft (36 RF-104G and 48 G.91R). Air defense fighter aviation includes six fighter aviation squadrons (72 F-104S).
18 F104G aircraft of the 102nd fighter-bomber squadron (Rimini airbase) and 18 Tornado aircraft of the 154th fighter-bomber squadron (Gedi airbase) are carriers of nuclear weapons. According to the foreign press, 70 American nuclear bombs have been stored in Italy for them. In addition, the Air Force includes five squadrons of military transport aircraft (ten C-130s, 40 G.222s, two DC-9s, six PD-808s and helicopters), two EW squadrons (13 PD-808ECM, G.222ECM, MV.326ECM), one combat trainer (15 TF-104G), several trainers ($0 G.91T aircraft, 70 MV.326 IG 329, 25 SF-26OM, about 40 AB-47 and AB.204 helicopters ), four squadrons of search and rescue service (35 AB.204 and HH-3FJ helicopters, as well as other units performing communications, mapping, etc.
On a territorial basis, all aviation is distributed over three military air districts: I, II and III with headquarters respectively in the cities of Milan, Rome and Bari. District commanders are responsible for the combat readiness of aviation units and subunits, plan and conduct various district-wide aviation exercises, and, with the outbreak of hostilities, organize air operations and interaction with the ground forces and the Navy.
The plan for the construction of the Air Force provides for equipping units and subunits with modern aircraft and air defense systems. To replace obsolete G.91Y and F-104S and G machines, Tornado multi-purpose aircraft began to arrive. In 1983, 25 of them were delivered (it is planned to have 100 Tornadoes as part of combat aviation). Since 1987, it is planned to equip fighter-bomber squadrons with new Italian-Brazilian AMX aircraft (the Air Force needs 187 aircraft of this type).
To ensure air defense of bases at low and medium altitudes, it is planned to deploy 20 Spada missile batteries, and in the southern regions of Italy - additional radar posts that could promptly notify of an air attack.
Naval Forces Italy are intended primarily for joint combat operations with the US 6th Fleet and operations in the Mediterranean Sea in cooperation with the Greek and Turkish navies, as well as to ensure the landing and operations of amphibious assault forces, support of ground forces in coastal areas, coastal defense, military -sea bases and ports of the country.
Administratively, the coast of the continental part of Italy and the islands with adjacent waters is divided into four naval districts - Upper Tyrrhenian (headquarters in the Naval Base La Spezia), Lower Tyrrhenian (Naples), Adriatic (Ancona), Ionian and the Strait of Otranto (Taranto ), as well as two autonomous naval commands - the islands of Sardinia (La Maddalena) and the islands of Sicily (Messina).
Organizationally, the Navy, according to the foreign press, consists of a fleet (includes the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th divisions and the command of submarines, as well as mine-sweeping ships and auxiliary vessels at the disposal of the commanders of districts and autonomous commands), marines and aviation. In peacetime, they are under national subordination, and in case of war, it is planned to transfer most of them to the command of the NATO combined naval forces in the South European theater of operations.
Marines consists of a separate battalion "San Marco" and a detachment of combat swimmers "Teseo Tezei".
to the Navy Aviation includes two patrol aviation wings (14 Breguet 1150 Atlantic). based at the air bases of Cagliari (Sardinia) and Catania (Sicily), and five squadrons of helicopters (36 SH-3D, 60 AB.212AS and 10 AB.204AS).
Colonel Yu. Aleksandrov
+21The armed forces of Italy are: Navy, Army, Carabinieri, Air Force. The Italian Armed Forces also include the Financial Police Corps (Guardia di Finanza), the Military Corps of the Italian Red Cross, the Volunteer Nurses, the Military Corps of the Italian Armed Forces, the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Military Ordinariate.
Annually, 1.7% of GDP is allocated for army spending, which is 20.7 billion US dollars.
Since 1999, compulsory military service has been abolished, and Italy has completely switched to a contract army. Now, the Italian Armed Forces consist only of voluntary mercenary soldiers with special knowledge in military affairs. Also, the Italian army consists of female personnel, which has already become a complementary part of the Italian Armed Forces, where women are not only involved in logistics, but also enter the active forces, taking part in the hostilities in which Italian troops participate abroad.
Military parade. Photo italyproject.ru
Compulsory military service was legalized during the reign of Napoleon, in 1802, although historians argue about this. Some argue that the author of this idea was Nicolo Machiavelli, who lived three hundred years before the famous French emperor.
It should also be noted that, according to Article 52 of the Italian Constitution, every citizen is obliged to defend his Fatherland. This is his sacred duty to the country and society. Therefore, in the event of the outbreak of hostilities or in any other extreme situations that threaten the integrity of the country and the peace of its citizens, compulsory military service can be renewed. The combat-ready population, according to the Constitution of the country, includes the male population aged 15 to 49 years.
After the army has become professional, a soldier can sign a contract for a period of five years, and then extend it for one or two years (such a contract can be signed twice). Wage contract soldiers is several times the amount that was paid to soldiers military service. According to 2006 data, young people serving in the army on a contract basis received 1,000 euros, while soldiers carrying out compulsory military service earned 90 euros per month.
Italian police. Photo crimso.msk.ru
At the end of their service life, military personnel are dismissed and can be hired by the police, civil defense, fire departments and security organizations. It is also worth noting the fact that the military reform in Italy gives good prospects for women who can now serve in various branches of the military and hold different posts and positions.
Italian Armed Forces (Italian: Forze Armate Italiane)- a set of troops (forces) of the Italian Republic designed to protect the freedom, independence and territorial integrity of the state. Composed of ground troops naval forces, the Air Force and the Carabinieri Forces (Carabinieri Corps). The date of the emergence of the Italian Armed Forces can be considered 1861, when Italy gained independence.
Italian Armed Forces:
Conscription age: none, because under the current law, young people born after December 31, 1985 are not subject to conscription;
Service life: none;
Combat-ready population (men): 15-49 years -14248674 in 2001;
Combat-ready population (men): correspond to military service 15-49 years old - 12244166 in 2001;
Military labor reserves (reach military age annually): 304,369 people in 2001;
Military spending: 2009: $20.3 billion, 1.7% of GDP.
The number of armed forces - 114,000 people in 2006.
Italian professional army
"An epochal event" - so emotionally, Italian Defense Minister Sergio Mattarella described the decision of the national parliament to abolish compulsory military service by 2007. However, the emotions here were quite appropriate. First of all, because at last a full-fledged professional army is being born in the Apennines, and millions of young Italians will no longer have to experience conflicting feelings when receiving the infamous summons to military service. Indeed, an entire era is coming to an end, the beginning of which was laid by Napoleon back in 1802. However, if desired, the idea of forming an army on the principle of conscription can be considered an Italian invention, since three centuries before Napoleon, the wise Nicolo Machiavelli put forward it, not believing in the strength of the Florentine mercenaries.
Formally, the new law refers only to the suspension of military service, since Article 52 of the Italian Constitution provides that "defence of the Fatherland is the sacred duty of a citizen." Thus, in the event of the outbreak of war or the emergence of another extreme situation, the practice of conscription for military service can be resumed. Nevertheless, it is obvious that Rome has taken a course towards the creation of a professional army, the strength of which by the end of 2006 should reach 190,000, that is, it will be reduced by 80,000 servicemen. The law provides for a five-year service for soldiers with the possibility of renewing the contract twice for two years. It is also possible to conclude a contract for only one year. It is assumed that, having retired from the ranks of the armed forces, the majority of yesterday's servicemen will be accepted into the police, fire departments, and the civil defense service. Contract soldiers will be paid 2 million liras (about $1,000) a month, while now privates receive only 180,000 liras. In addition, the reform opens up the possibility for women to hold almost any position in all branches of the armed forces.
You can learn more about the Italian army at (in italian).
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