Italian Army

Italian Army
Unit name	Italian Army
Native name	Esercito Italiano
Caption	Emblem of the Italian Army
Founded	27 March 1861
Country	Italy
Type	Army
Role	Land warfare
Size	96,700 active personnel (2023)
Command structure	Italian Armed Forces
Garrison	Rome
Garrison label	Headquarters
Motto	"Salus Rei Publicae Suprema Lex Esto"
March	"Parata d'Eroi" (Heroes' Parade)
Battles	Third Italian War of Independence, World War I, Second Italo-Ethiopian War, World War II, Gulf War, Kosovo War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), Iraq War
Anniversaries	4 November (National Unity and Armed Forces Day)
Commander1	President Sergio Mattarella
Commander1 label	Commander-in-Chief
Commander2	General Pietro Serino
Commander2 label	Chief of the Defence Staff
Commander3	Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello
Commander3 label	Chief of the Army Staff
Notable commanders	Giuseppe Garibaldi, Armando Diaz, Luigi Cadorna

Italian Army. The land warfare branch of the Italian Armed Forces, it was founded with the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Its modern form was established after World War II with the birth of the Italian Republic, and it is a key contributor to NATO and European Union security initiatives. The force is tasked with national defense, disaster relief, and international peacekeeping under mandates from organizations like the United Nations.

History

The army's origins trace to the forces of the Kingdom of Sardinia, particularly the Royal Sardinian Army, which spearheaded the Risorgimento. Key early conflicts included the Third Italian War of Independence and the Capture of Rome. During World War I, it fought a grueling mountain campaign against the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with pivotal battles at Isonzo and Vittorio Veneto. The Fascist era saw involvement in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the Spanish Civil War, followed by disastrous campaigns in World War II across North Africa, the Balkans, and the Eastern Front. After the Armistice of Cassibile in 1943, the army split between the Italian Co-belligerent Army supporting the Allies and the Republican National Army loyal to Benito Mussolini. Post-war reconstruction led to its integration into NATO, with a focus on defending the Iron Curtain during the Cold War.

Organization

Operational command resides with the Chief of the Army Staff in Rome. The army is divided into operational commands, including the Operational Land Forces Command in Vicenza. Major combat formations include the Folgore Parachute Brigade, the Ariete Armoured Brigade, and the Alpini-themed Julia Alpine Brigade. Key support and training commands are the Army Aviation Command at Viterbo and the Training, Specialization and Doctrine Command in Rome. The Carabinieri, while a separate branch of the armed forces, often provide military police services.

Equipment

The main battle tank is the C1 Ariete. The infantry fighting vehicle fleet centers on the Dardo and the newer Freccia. Artillery systems include the FH70 howitzer and the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System. The LMV Lince is the primary light multirole vehicle, while heavy transport uses the IVECO ACTL. Army aviation operates the Agusta A129 Mangusta attack helicopter and the NHIndustries NH90 for multirole missions. Individual weapons include the Beretta ARX160 assault rifle and the Beretta 92 pistol.

Personnel and training

Active personnel number approximately 96,700, with conscription suspended since 2005, creating an all-volunteer force. Officer training begins at the Military Academy of Modena, followed by specialization at the Army School of Applied Military Studies in Turin. The NCO School in Viterbo trains non-commissioned officers, while the Infantry School in Cesano and the Cavalry School in Lecce provide branch-specific instruction. Specialized training for units like the 9th Paratroopers Assault Regiment occurs at the Capo Teulada and Monte Romano ranges.

Deployments and operations

The army maintains a continuous presence in international missions. It has contributed significantly to NATO operations, including the Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan and the Kosovo Force (KFOR). Under United Nations mandates, it has participated in UNIFIL in Lebanon and various missions across the Mediterranean. Domestically, it supports civil authorities through "Operation Safe Roads" and provides crucial disaster relief, such as during the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake and the 2023 Emilia-Romagna floods. It also leads the Multinational Land Force with Slovenia and Hungary.

Ranks and insignia

The rank system follows the standard NATO hierarchy. Officer ranks range from the junior Second Lieutenant to the senior General of the Army. Specialist ranks include the unique role of the First Marshal of the Army, a senior NCO position. Distinctive insignia are worn on service and combat uniforms, with the Alpini troops featuring the iconic feather hat (*"Cappello Alpino"*) and the Bersaglieri wearing black cockerel feathers. Historical units like the Granatieri di Sardegna also maintain traditional uniform elements for ceremonial duties.

Category:Military of Italy Italy