The Italian Defence Multi-Year Planning Document 2025–2027 (DPP 2025–2027), published in October, presents several procurement programmes related to the Italian Army’s ambitious transformation, which rests on 3 core pillars: the full digitization of the battlefield, the comprehensive recapitalization of its heavy armoured component, and the adoption of unmanned systems in both the air (UAV) and land (UGV) domains.

The DPP formally launches the centerpiece of this digital strategy, the "Combat Dome" (“Multidomain Tactical Bubble” for the Army) program. With an initial financing of €120 million, this program aims to create a "land combat system of systems"—a resilient combat network connecting all platforms, sensors, and weapon systems in a multi-domain environment through multiple, collaborative transmission channels. A key feature is a dedicated CEMA (Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities) node, designed both to protect the C2 architecture and to degrade enemy electronic capabilities.

This digital backbone is designed to support the second pillar: a massive new investment in armor. The A2CS (Army Armored Combat System) program for a new IFV, centered on Rheinmetall's LYNX, has received a major additional funding allocation of €1.9 billion in the new DPP, and is intended to run alongside the planned I-MBT (Rheinmetall’s PANTHER) procurement.

This ground force will be supported by advanced air assets, as the AW-249 FENICE combat helicopter program is accelerating. A new ministerial decree authorizes the acquisition of 29 additional helicopters, adding to the 19 already under contract for a total fleet of 48. This €1.22 billion "Phase 3" of the program, running from 2026 to 2032, covers the procurement of the 29 helicopters in Full Operational Capability (FOC) configuration, funds the retrofit of the first 19 to the same FOC standard, and covers 10-year logistic support and new training systems. The total AW-249 program is now valued at €4.6 billion.

The Army's artillery is also being upgraded, with the program for a new 155/52mm wheeled self-propelled howitzer has received an additional €435 million, bringing total allocated funds to €637 million against a total requirement previously estimated at €1.8 billion. The program, which faces a slight delay with initial funds expected in 2026, sees KNDS Germany's RCH-155 and a new national solution as contenders.

Additional funding also reinforces the Army’s medium component. The 8x8 VBM FRECCIA IFV programme has been granted an extra €450 million, while the 8x8 CENTAURO 2 tank destroyer has received an additional €300 million. The light segment benefits as well, with €222 million in extra funding for the VTLM 2 light tactical vehicle and €446 million for new logistics platforms.

Investment is also directed towards vehicles for amphibious and extreme environments. The Army will acquire 83 VBA (Amphibious Armored Vehicle) 8x8s from Iveco Defence Vehicle (IDV), destined for the POZZUOLO DEL FRIULI Brigade—primarily the SERENISSIMA Lagunari Regiment and the 3rd Engineer Regiment. The €877.5 million program is phased; the €206 million first phase, awaiting parliamentary approval, will fund 4 pre-series platforms and the first 10 serial-production vehicles, plus 10-year logistic support, with work running from 2026 to 2037. The remaining 69 vehicles will require new decrees.

Complementing this, the Full-All Terrain Vehicle (F-ATV) program for a new articulated tracked vehicle has been launched. The €71 million first phase, now before Parliament, covers the development of pre-series vehicles in all 7 planned configurations (Troop Transport, Mortar, MEDEVAC, etc.) and logistic support studies. A second phase will procure the first 160 units, part of a total DPP requirement for 450 vehicles valued at €1.22 billion. The competition features ST Engineering's BRONCO 3 (offered by Leonardo/ARIS) against BAE/Hagglunds' BvS-10.

Finally, all these efforts are underpinned by robotics, as the DPP allocates €3.2 billion for unmanned systems for all Italian Armed Forces. While 93% is for aerial systems, the Army has launched its own "Unmanned Component" program, enhancing both UAV and UGV segments with an initial €270 million budget phased through 2039, which runs alongside funding increases for existing procurement programs like the Army's one for mini and micro drones (+€115 million).

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