Italy Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 13th
MPR SCORE: 1250
MPR Index: 0.5718 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.4059 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +2.109 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Italy ranks 13th globally in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR), standing as one of Europe’s top military powers and a cornerstone of the NATO alliance. Italy maintains a modern, well-balanced military with strong expeditionary capacity, extensive naval reach, and an advanced aerospace industry. Its strategic location in the central Mediterranean, coupled with a long-standing tradition of multilateral deployments, makes Italy a key actor in both European defense and global stabilization missions.
The Italian Armed Forces operate under a fully professional model, with a doctrine centered on multinational interoperability, crisis response, and homeland defense. Italy’s defense structure benefits from high-quality training, joint-force integration, and an expanding role in European defense manufacturing.
Strengths: Expeditionary Reach, Naval Power, and Industrial Depth
1. High-Readiness Ground Forces
Italy maintains ~170,000 active personnel, including the Esercito Italiano (Army), Marina Militare (Navy), and Aeronautica Militare (Air Force)
Key Army assets include:
Ariete MBTs, Freccia IFVs, and Centauro II wheeled tank destroyers
Folgore Parachute Brigade and Alpine Brigades for rapid intervention and mountainous terrain
Emphasis on NATO rapid deployment, Balkans readiness, and peacekeeping
2. Powerful and Blue-Water Naval Force
Italy’s navy is one of the strongest in Europe, with:
2 aircraft carriers (Cavour and Giuseppe Garibaldi)
FREMM frigates, Horizon-class destroyers, and Todaro-class submarines
San Giorgio-class amphibious ships for expeditionary operations
The Marina Militare has global reach, participating in:
Anti-piracy patrols
NATO naval task forces
Mediterranean and Red Sea operations
3. Advanced Air Force with Multirole Capabilities
The Aeronautica Militare flies:
Eurofighter Typhoon, F-35A/B, and Tornado ECR/IDS aircraft
Strategic enablers including KC-767 tankers, G550 CAEW, and P-72A MPA
Air force is trained for:
SEAD, BVR combat, air policing, and coalition strike missions
Strong NATO integration and Mediterranean QRA posture
4. Defense Industry Leadership and Export Capability
Italy’s defense industry is among Europe’s strongest, led by:
Leonardo, Fincantieri, Oto Melara, and Avio Aero
Products include:
Helicopters (AW101, AW139)
Frigates, radars, drones, and missile systems
Major contributor to:
Eurofighter, F-35 JSF, and MGCS development
Exporter to countries across Europe, MENA, and South America
Why Italy Is Ranked 13th
Italy earns a high rank due to its naval power, joint-force integration, and global deployability, though strategic limitations persist.
1. No Strategic Deterrent or Long-Range Strike Platforms
Italy does not field:
Nuclear weapons (hosts U.S. B61 bombs under NATO sharing)
Ballistic missiles or long-range cruise missile platforms
Its reach is primarily tactical and alliance-dependent
2. Aging Armored and Artillery Components
Ground forces include many legacy platforms:
Older Ariete tanks, M109 artillery, and post-Cold War engineering vehicles
Modernization is underway but progressing gradually
3. Budgetary Constraints and Personnel Shrinkage
Defense spending remains below NATO’s 2% GDP target
Downsizing of personnel and reliance on contracted support limit surge capacity
Modernization priorities are often delayed due to fiscal pressures
Conclusion
Italy fields a highly professional, modern, and interoperable military with significant naval strength, multirole airpower, and a globally competitive defense industry. It plays a central role in NATO operations and regional crisis response.
Under the MPR framework—where combined force quality, strategic utility, and coalition leadership are evaluated—Italy ranks 13th, just behind South Korea and ahead of Israel. While it lacks global strike depth, it remains a vital contributor to European and Mediterranean security.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 165,500 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 18,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 110,000 (IISS 2023)
Italy’s military manpower is relatively modest, but its military readiness and ability to rapidly deploy forces ensure it remains highly effective. Italy’s military strength by country is reinforced by its ability to engage in NATO and EU defense operations.
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 200 (IISS 2023)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 6,000+ (IISS 2023)
Artillery Pieces (Self-Propelled and Towed): 700+ (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Rocket Artillery: 21 (SIPRI 2023)
Although Italy’s ground forces are smaller compared to other top militaries, they are well-equipped with modern military technology. The Ariete MBT and the Dardo IFV make Italy’s ground forces highly mobile and capable in a variety of terrains.
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 494 (IISS 2023)
Attack Helicopters: 59 (Jane’s Defence 2023)
Italy’s air force includes the F-35 Lightning II, which enhances its air superiority and military firepower. Italy’s air capabilities contribute significantly to its military force projection, allowing it to engage in operations well beyond its borders.
Aircraft Breakdown:
Eurofighter Typhoon: 94 (air superiority and multirole)
F-35A Lightning II: 22 delivered (60+ on order)
F-35B STOVL: 3 delivered (expected to operate from carriers)
Tornado IDS/ECR: 40 (strike and electronic warfare; being phased out)
KC-767A Tankers: 4 (aerial refueling and transport)
C-130J Hercules & C-27J Spartan: 30+ (tactical transport)
AW101, NH90, AB212/412 Helicopters: 60+ (naval and utility roles)
P-72A MPA: 4 (maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare)
Naval Forces
Total Naval Assets: 143 (IISS 2023)
Aircraft Carriers: 2 (IISS 2023)
Submarines: 8 (SIPRI 2023)
Destroyers and Frigates: 20+ (IISS 2023)
Italy’s navy is among the most advanced in Europe, with aircraft carriers like the Cavour and the Trieste, and a formidable fleet of submarines and frigates. This makes Italy a key player in military force projection and defense of Mediterranean waters.
Missile Capabilities
Italy’s focus on missile defense systems is integral to its strategic capabilities. It is a key participant in NATO’s Ballistic Missile Defense initiatives and continues to modernize its arsenal with surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and tactical strike capabilities.
Military Technology and Modernization
Italy is a leader in military technology rankings, focusing on advanced military forces with platforms like the F-35 and the FREMM-class frigates. The Italian defense industry, led by companies such as Leonardo S.p.A., is a key supplier of military equipment both domestically and internationally, boosting the country’s military equipment strength.
Alliances and Strategic Partnerships
Italy’s role in NATO significantly enhances its military power projection. The country’s participation in NATO’s joint defense initiatives, military exercises, and strategic partnerships with European and global powers bolster its military force capability.
Military History & Combat Experience
Italy’s modern military history spans two world wars, post-Cold War coalition operations, and global peacekeeping missions. Since the 1990s, Italy has evolved into a leader in stabilization, maritime security, and alliance-based intervention, with operational exposure across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
World War I (1915–1918): Italy fought on the Austro-Hungarian front, enduring trench warfare in the Alps and eventually gaining territory after the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. The war forged Italy’s modern military identity.
World War II (1940–1945): Initially aligned with the Axis, Italy suffered defeats in North Africa, Greece, and the Eastern Front. Following the 1943 armistice, Italy split between the Allied-aligned south and German-occupied north, with significant partisan resistance.
Cold War and NATO Integration (1950s–1990s): Italy became a founding NATO member, hosting key U.S. bases and contributing to:
The Allied Command Europe
Mediterranean fleet operations
Nuclear deterrence via U.S.-hosted tactical weapons
Balkans Conflicts (1990s): Italy played a major role in:
NATO air strikes in Kosovo
Peacekeeping in Bosnia and Macedonia
Establishing forward operating bases and refugee logistics
Afghanistan and Iraq (2001–2014): Italian forces contributed to:
ISAF operations in Herat and Farah provinces
Coalition stabilization missions in southern Iraq (Dhi Qar province)
Missions focused on engineering, training, and force protection
UN and EU Peacekeeping (2000s–Present): Italy has led or supported missions in:
Lebanon (UNIFIL)
Somalia, Libya, Mali, and the Central African Republic
Emphasis on humanitarian logistics, military medical, and civil-military coordination
Mediterranean Security and Anti-Trafficking Ops: Italy leads EUNAVFOR MED, conducting:
Maritime patrols
Anti-smuggling interdiction
SAR missions in the central Mediterranean
Italy’s military experience centers on coalition warfighting, stabilization missions, and expeditionary logistics, with consistent leadership in European security initiatives.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~58.8 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~23 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 301,340 km²
Land Boundaries: 1,836 km
Bordering Countries: Austria, France, San Marino, Slovenia, Switzerland, Vatican City
Coastline: 7,600 km
Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in the north, hot and dry in the south
Terrain: Mostly rugged mountains and hills; coastal plains and lowlands
Natural Resources: Coal, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, mercury, natural gas, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: ~620 million barrels
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~85 billion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$34 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.5%
GDP (PPP): ~$3.3 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$56,800
External Debt: ~$3.1 trillion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Gradual increase with emphasis on NATO interoperability and modernization
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: All-volunteer professional force; conscription abolished in 2005
Primary Defense Focus: NATO operations, Mediterranean security, expeditionary support, cyber resilience
Military Industry Base: Strong; includes Leonardo, Fincantieri, Beretta, MBDA (Italian branch)
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; includes cyber defense units under MoD and intelligence cooperation with EU/NATO
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (hosts ~20 U.S. B61 bombs at Ghedi and Aviano under NATO nuclear sharing)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Joint Operational Command, Army/Navy/Air Staffs, NATO-aligned regional commands
Missile Inventory Highlights: Storm Shadow, Aspide, Aster 15/30, Marte, CAMM-ER, Teseo Mk2
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate; reserve activation via regional command structure within weeks
Reservist Force Size: ~18,000 trained reservists
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Operated by ASI (Italian Space Agency); military satellites include COSMO-SkyMed and SICRAL systems
Military Satellite Inventory: Several dual-use and dedicated communications and earth observation satellites
Intelligence Infrastructure: AISE (external), AISI (internal), and DIS (central coordination body)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, EU, Five Eyes (observer-level cooperation), bilateral ties with U.S., France, Germany
Airports (Total): ~129 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: Amendola, Ghedi, Pratica di Mare, Aviano (shared with U.S. Air Force)
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~1,400 vessels
Major Ports: Genoa, Trieste, Naples, Taranto, La Spezia
Naval Infrastructure: Modern navy; includes Cavour carrier group, FREMM frigates, U212 submarines
Naval Replenishment Capability: Operates Stromboli and Vulcano-class replenishment ships for Mediterranean deployment
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~24,000 km
Roadways: ~487,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~100,000 barrels per day
Energy Imports: Major importer of gas from Algeria, Azerbaijan, and LNG terminals
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: ~120 million barrels
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Produces naval ships, helicopters (AW101, NH90), UAVs, small arms, and guided munitions
Military Installations (Domestic): Multiple airbases, naval stations, army garrisons, and missile sites throughout mainland and islands
Military Installations (Overseas): Peacekeeping and logistics roles in Kosovo, Lebanon, Somalia, Niger
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: Hosts ~12,000 U.S. military personnel across Aviano, Sigonella, Vicenza, and other locations
Defense Alliances: NATO member, EU defense programs (PESCO), strategic ties with France, U.S., and Germany
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-130J, C-27J Spartan; dependent on NATO and EU for heavier lift
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Moderate; legal mechanisms in place for mobilizing civilian industry
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Focus on naval systems, unmanned platforms, advanced radar, electronic warfare, and aerospace innovation
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: ENI (energy), Leonardo (aerospace/defense), Trenitalia (logistics), Iveco (vehicles), Saipem (infrastructure)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Rome
Founding Date: March 17, 1861 (Kingdom of Italy unified); current republic since June 2, 1946
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional republic
