Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 19, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 3, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleItaly may add 100,000 troops by 2044, lifting forces to 275,000 under a draft plan costing about €6bn and raising annual personnel outlays. The move aligns with NATO’s higher spending push but needs parliament’s approval.
ROME, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Italy's defence ministry is considering increasing its military personnel by more than 60% over the next 18 years, at an estimated cost of around six billion euros ($7 billion), according to a document seen by Reuters.
The proposal was drawn up by military experts and was presented this week to Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, laying the groundwork for an ambitious plan to overhaul the armed forces that is due to be unveiled by the end of March.
The experts recommended lifting combined personnel numbers for the army, navy and air force to 275,000 up from around 170,000 now, including a 15,000-strong reserve.
Last year, NATO countries agreed to boost defence spending to 5% of national output under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump -- a challenge for heavily indebted Italy, whose budget is traditionally lower than that of its partners.
Last year, NATO estimated that Italy spent just 2.01% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on defence.
Under the new proposal, which is not yet finalised and would have to be approved by parliament, the increase in staffing would be phased in gradually by 2044, with personnel costs rising to nearly 15 billion euros from 8.8 billion currently.
Crosetto, a close ally of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, pledged last year that Italy would hit the new 5% target by 2035. However, the government is likely to face strong opposition to such a radical increase, with critics saying the money would be better spent on health and education. ($1 = 0.8498 euros)
(Reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Crispian Balmer)
Italy is weighing a draft plan to expand its armed forces by 100,000 personnel by 2044, boosting total headcount to about 275,000 and significantly increasing defense outlays.
The document cites roughly €6 billion in near‑term costs, with annual personnel spending rising from about €8.8 billion to nearly €15 billion as staffing ramps up.
It comes amid NATO’s push toward higher defense and security spending targets and concerns over European security, prompting Italy to reassess force size and readiness.
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