Italian Defense Ministry published a three-year budget and announced plans to purchase weapons
The Italian government and the Ministry of Defense have taken steps towards creating a long-term weapons procurement planning system: a three-year defense budget was published for the first time.
According to the Defense News, the government also announced for the first time details of financing a number of programs, including the first payments in the amount of 580 million euros (758,6 million dollars) for the purchase of two Israeli-made DRLOi aircraft.
Transparency, from which the political parties of Italy have long shied away, was made possible by the efforts of the former government of Mario Monti. In April, he was replaced by a new coalition Cabinet, which continued this policy.
As announced last year, defense spending in 2013 will be 14,41 billion euros. The new document contains data on planned expenditures for 2014 and 2015. They amount to 14,1 and 14,5 billion euros, respectively, which shows an increase compared with a fall to 13,6 billion euros in 2012 year. This year, defense spending will amount to 0,91% of GDP.
The increase in personnel spending, despite the planned reduction in the size of the armed forces, means that spending on arms purchases through the Ministry of Defense will decrease from 3,4 billion euros this year to 3,25 billion euros in 2014 and 3,08 billion euros in 2015 year. Funding for services and operations (M&O) will also decline, from 1,33 billion euros this year to 1,32 billion euros in 2014 and 1,3 billion euros in 2015.
The long-term budget ensures the transition to a planned procurement system, however, according to Defense Minister Mario Mauro, if the country's parliament decides that the costs are too high or small (for a particular year), it will be able to adjust them.
The new document for the first time gives a breakdown of program expenditures, including funds channeled through the Ministry of Industry, which were traditionally hidden under the pretext that they are financing R & D. So, in 2013, the Ministry of Industry within the framework of defense programs will receive 2,18 billion euros, which will supplement the sum of 3,4 billion euros allocated for arms purchases through the Ministry of Defense.
In particular, within the framework of the Eurofighter program, the Ministry of Industry will receive 1,14 billion euros, compared to 51,6 million euros allocated for this program to the Ministry of Defense. The construction of six multi-purpose FREMM frigates worth 655 million euros is fully funded by the Ministry of Industry. It will also pay 99,7 million euros for the supply of Fortstsiya armored vehicles and 36 million euros (from 220 million euros) for the supply of X-NUMX M-6 aircraft.
The new acquisition programs in 2013 include two G-550 AIRLOADs based on the Gulf Stream airliner. They are estimated at 580 million euros, 132 million euros of which will be allocated this year, 183 million euros in 2014 year and 137 million euros in 2015 year. The project will be completed in 2016.
Equipped with a high-resolution surveillance system, the OPTSAT-3000 species surveillance satellite of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will cost the Ministry of Defense 170 million euros, 41,6 million euros of which will be paid in 2013 a year.
The new program for the acquisition of a multipurpose combat ship worth 390 million euros, intended for the material support of submarines, support for special operations and research missions, will be partially funded by civilian R & D funds.
The number of purchased armored vehicles VTMM company "Iveco" in the version of the ambulance increased from 12 to 16 units.
The implementation of a number of programs is delayed. So, from 2015 to 2019 the year was postponed to complete the purchase of new ATR aircraft for maritime patrols, which will replace the outdated Atlantik. With 2014 on 2019, the year delayed the conclusion of a contract to buy an AW-101 helicopter for the Navy. The acquisition of small bombs shifted from 2013 to 2015 year. At the same time, funding for the third phase of the development of Vulcano’s long-range munition from the Oto Melara company will increase from 119 to 150 million euros.
Information