The armies of different countries carry out similar tasks, namely they confront the external and internal threats, protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state. Italy has its own armed forces. The army has been operating since 1861. The article will consider the history of the creation of the Italian Armed Forces, structure and strength.
Start of formation
In 1861, the independent Italian states located on the Apennine Peninsula, namely, Sardinia, the Neapolitan and Sicilian kingdoms, Lombardy, the duchies of Modena, Parma and Tuscany, united. 1861 was the year of the formation of the Italian kingdom and army. Italy took an active part in two world wars and several colonial ones. The division of Africa (events of 1885-1914) and the formation of colonies took place with the direct participation of the country's troops. Since the conquered lands should be protected from encroachments by other states, the Italian army was replenished with colonial troops, which were manned by local residents of Somalia and Eritrea. In 1940, the number was 256 thousand people.
Twentieth century
After the state joined NATO, the armed forces of Italy the Alliance repeatedly attracted to conduct its military operations. With the participation of the state army, air strikes were carried out on Yugoslavia, the support of the Government of Afghanistan and the civil war in Libya. In the 1920s, military power became a priority for the Italian government. It was now necessary to serve urgent not 8 months, but a year. In 1922, Benito Mussolini came to power, and the theme of fascism became the most popular.
To restore the Holy Roman Empire and enter into a military alliance with Nazi Germany for the Italian government was a task of primary importance. As a result of such a spring policy, the leadership involved the country in hostilities, and soon initiated a war with Great Britain and France. According to historians, the intensive development of the Italian army took place during the Second World War.
Post-war time
As a result of Mussolini's aggressive policies, the country lost its colonies and in 1943 was forced to surrender. As a result of repeated defeats on the fronts, Italy suffered significant losses. Nevertheless, the state did not stop it on the path to the formation of a combat-ready army. 6 years after surrender, she will join the North Atlantic Alliance and continue to develop her military-industrial complex.
About structure
The composition of the Italian army is represented by ground forces (SV), naval and aviation forces. In 2001, the list was replenished with another military clan - carabinieri. The total army of Italy is 150 thousand people.
About the ground forces
This type of aircraft is represented by three divisions, three separate brigades (parachute and cavalry brigades, signalmen), air defense forces and four commands responsible for SO (special operations), army aviation, air defense and support.
The Trindentina mining division is equipped with two alpine brigades, Julia and Taurinense.
The "heavy" Friuli division - with the Ariete, Pozzuolo de Friuli armored brigade, and the mechanized Sassari.
The Akui division is average in power. It includes the Garibaldi brigades and the mechanized Aosta and Pinerolo brigades. The elite infantry are bersaliers - highly mobile shooters.
Since 2005, exclusively professional soldiers and volunteers have been joining the infantry. Ground forces have Italian-made tanks and other armored vehicles. The state is supplied with artillery guns and air defense equipment from other countries. In addition, old German tanks in quantities of over 550 units are stored in military warehouses.
Fleet
According to military experts, if you compare this military form of the Italian Armed Forces with the rest, then traditionally since the Second World War it is one level higher. A fleet with a sufficiently high production and scientific-technical potential. Most of the combat craft own production. Italy has two newest Salvatore Todaro submarines (two more being completed), four Sauro (in addition, one is used as a training one), and aircraft carriers Giuseppe Garibaldi and Cavour. Since the latter transport not only carrier-based aircraft, but also air defense systems and anti-ship missile launchers, according to the Russian classification, these floating combat units are aircraft-carrying cruisers. There are also 4 modern destroyers in Italy: two each, De La Penne and Andrea Doria.
Air force
Despite the fact that 1923 was officially considered the year of creation of national aviation, Italy, previously fighting with Turkey, had already used aircraft. According to experts, this country was the first to conduct combat operations using aircraft. The war with Ethiopia, the first world and civil war in Spain, could not do without the participation of Italian pilots. Italy entered World War II with an aircraft fleet of over 3 thousand units. However, at the time of the state surrender, the number of combat air units was reduced several times.
Today, Italy has the latest European Typhoon fighters (73 pcs.), Tornado bombers (80 units), domestic-made MB339CD attack aircraft (28 units), Brazilian AMX (57 units), and American F-104 fighters (21 units). The latter, due to the highest accident rate, have recently been sent for storage.
About Carabinieri
This military form was created much later than the rest. It consists of two divisions, one brigade and regional units. It is completed with helicopter pilots, divers, dog handlers, orderlies. In submission to the command of the armed forces of Italy and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The main task of the special task force is to confront armed criminals.
In addition, the unit as an integral part of the SV can be involved in the implementation of combined arms tasks. Carabinieri have armored personnel carriers, light aircraft and helicopters.
Joining the ranks of the Carabinieri is much more difficult than joining the ground forces. Applicants must have high military and moral-psychological training.
About ranks
In the Italian army, unlike the Russian Armed Forces with its military and naval ranks, each rank has its own ranks. The exception was only the ranks of the Air Force, which are identical to the ranks in the NE. In the air force, such a rank as a brigadier general or major general is absent. The peculiarity of the Italian army is that the highest ranks have the prefix generale, and in aviation - comandante. Only in SV there is a rank of corporal - a rank between corporal and private.
Corporal and corporal in the fleet are absent. There, the ranks are represented by sailors and junior specialists. Such titles as foreman and ensign, familiar in the Russian army, in the Italian replaced by sergeants. For junior officers there are three ranks. The ranks of captain SV and captain of the gendarmerie correspond to the commander of the squadron and naval captain-lieutenant. In the Italian Navy, the rank of lieutenant is not used, it is replaced by midshipman.
It is noteworthy that in the naval ranks they use names like ships. For example, such a rank as “captain of the 3rd rank” is equivalent to the captain of the corvette. If the title is higher - to the captain of the frigate. Of the five general ranks, the Carabinieri have only three. The highest ranks are represented by the inspector general of the district, the second commander (acting general) and the general.
Sleeves became the place for insignia of non-commissioned officers, and foremen shoulder straps. In the Italian army, you can recognize the officers by looking at the headgear and cuff of the sleeves. Officers on the caps of the caps or on the left side of the caps have galloons that correspond to their rank. If the fighter is dressed in a tropical jacket and shirt, which is also called saccharian, then removable epaulettes became the place for insignia.
