Italy Revises Its Military Doctrine for a New Era of Hybrid Threats

The Council of Ministers of Italy, upon the recommendation of Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, has approved a draft law to strengthen and adapt the country’s national defence capabilities. The document calls for reforming the structure of the Defense Staff, developing cyber capabilities, regulating unmanned systems, supporting defense research, and speeding up procurement. This is only the first step: to take effect, the draft law must be reviewed and voted on by both houses of Parliament, where its provisions may still be amended.

The key innovation concerns cyberspace. The Defense Staff’s Intelligence and Security Directorate will be transformed into the Joint Cyber Intelligence Command, and the current position of Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff will be split into two: one will be responsible for the staff’s operations, and the other – for operational matters. In parallel, a Joint Centre for Combat Training and Countering Hybrid Threats will be established to conduct joint-service exercises.

The draft law introduces the concept of cyberspace as being of national importance for defense, as well as the position of military cybersecurity specialist with a contract of up to 13 years of service and annual payments for each extension period. The Cybersecurity Incentive Fund will receive EUR 1.57 million in 2027, increasing to EUR 15 million annually starting in 2036. A separate fund of EUR 10 million annually will finance military science and technology research, and the state-owned company Difesa Servizi will be able to establish companies and acquire stakes in defence sector enterprises.

European experts point out that while the document makes no direct mention of the rf, the substance of the reform indicates that Rome is taking into account the risks of russian cyberattacks and interference in critical infrastructure, shifting from responding to individual incidents to building permanent capabilities for a long-term confrontation.