The army of Italy, like any other country, is called upon to protect the state from external and internal threats and encroachments on independence and freedom. How successful were the armed forces of the Italian Republic in this?

Italian army arose in 1861 - simultaneously with the unification into the Italian Kingdom of the independent Italian states of the Apennine Peninsula that existed at that time: Naples and the kingdoms, the Grand Duchy, the duchies and Modena. Since its inception, the army has actively participated in hostilities, including in the colonial and two world wars, local conflicts and invasions. She played a significant role in the division of Africa (1885-1914) and the formation of colonial states. To protect the conquered territories, colonial troops appeared in the Italian army, recruited mainly from the natives - the inhabitants of Eritrea and Somalia; by 1940 their number reached 256,000.

When the country joined NATO, its armed forces began to take part in the operations carried out by the Alliance. Among them: "Allied Force" (a series of air strikes on the territory of the former Yugoslavia), "Resolute Support" (assistance to the government of Afghanistan), "Allied Defender" (NATO intervention in the civil war in Libya).

The build-up of Italy's military power has become a priority since the early 1920s: Italians were called to military service for a year and a half instead of 8 months. The coming to power in 1922 led to the popularization of fascism in the country. The result of the ongoing Duce foreign policy, whose goal was the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire, was the conclusion of a military alliance with Nazi Germany. So the Italian army was involved in hostilities, and later it initiated the war itself - with France and Great Britain. During the Second World War, the development of the Italian army went at an accelerated pace.

Despite the fact that the result of the aggression was the loss of colonies and capitulation in 1943, participation in the war brought Italy “dividends”: a powerful fleet, which consisted, among other things, of several dozen submarines and almost two hundred warships.

In the middle of the 20th century, the development of the Italian military-industrial complex continued; this was made possible by the country's accession to NATO in 1949. Today, the military potential of Italy is significant: a lot of military equipment of its own production is in service: tanks created on the basis of the German Leopards, military aircraft (fighters, attack aircraft, transporters, etc.) and helicopters, mountain howitzers, anti-aircraft installations, as well as weapon(automatic rifles, pistols, machine guns, etc.). At the same time, the level of combat training of soldiers and officers is considered low. Even at the beginning of the last century, the Italian army repeatedly suffered defeats on the military fronts (significant losses in clashes with Austria, complete defeat by the Austro-German troops in 1917, colossal losses in North Africa), but this did not greatly affect the improvement professional qualities soldiers of the Italian armed forces in the future.

Structure

The army of Italy consists of land, naval and air forces. Since 2001, another type of troops has been added to them - the carabinieri. Total number of personnel: about 150,000 people.

Ground troops formed from several divisions and brigades: mountain infantry, armored, etc. There are parachute and cavalry brigades, signalmen, air defense troops. Bersaglieri, or riflemen, deserve special mention - a special kind of troops, an infantry elite, characterized by high mobility. Since 2005, only professional soldiers and volunteers have been accepted into the infantry troops of the Italian army.

In service are Italian tanks and other armored vehicles; artillery pieces and air defense systems - mostly foreign-made; more than 300 helicopters, a fifth of them are combat. More than 550 old German tanks are in storage.

Fleet

The Italian fleet has traditionally, since the beginning of World War II, overtakes other types of the country's armed forces in terms of development. Its potential, including production and scientific and technical, is very great; all used warships are built in our own shipyards. Among them are the latest submarines, destroyers and unique aircraft carriers equipped with air defense systems and anti-ship missiles.

Air Force

It is officially believed that the national aviation of Italy arose in 1923. However, at the beginning of the century, Italy used aircraft in the war with Turkey, becoming the first country in the world to use them for combat operations. Italian pilots participated in civil war in Spain, the war with Ethiopia, in the First World War. By the beginning of World War II, more than 3,000 aircraft were in service with the Italian army. Today, their number has decreased significantly, but continues to be quite impressive.

Joined the army of Italy recently. They have dual subordination - to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior, since the Carabinieri also perform police functions.

The structure of the Carabinieri units includes helicopter pilots, divers, cynologists, orderlies; a special task force tasked with combating organized crime.

Carabinieri are distinguished by better training - combat and psychological - than representatives of other types of troops.

Uniform and ranks

Unlike Russia, where only two types of military ranks- military and naval, in the Italian army, each type of troops has its own ranks. The exception is the ranks of the air force: they almost completely correspond to the names adopted for the ground forces. The main differences: the absence in the Air Force of the rank of major general (literally translated from Italian - "brigadier general"). There are also features in the designation of the highest army ranks: in the ground forces the term generale is used, in aviation - comandante.

The title "corporal" (between private and corporal) exists only in the ground forces. There are no corporals or corporals in the fleet, only sailors and junior specialists (they correspond to the rank of senior corporal in other branches of the military). Russian foremen and warrant officers correspond to sergeants.

The rank of junior officers is represented by three ranks. The captain of the ground forces and the captain of the gendarmerie correspond to the squadron commander and the naval lieutenant commander. There is no rank of "lieutenant" in the naval forces; in the navy it is replaced by "midshipman". There are also three senior officials.

It is curious that naval ranks contain the names of types of ships: for example, the title "captain of the 3rd rank" literally sounds like "corvette captain", and the higher rank is "frigate captain".

The most original names are those of the carabinieri, or gendarmes; this is how it is customary to translate the Italian carabinière into Russian. The same ranks are worn only by junior and senior officers of the gendarmerie and ground forces. In addition, the Carabinieri lack two of the five general ranks. There are only three senior ranks: the inspector general of the district, the second commander (or acting general) and the general.

As in all the armies of the world, in the Italian army camouflage uniforms are used for field operations. The Italian military had their own colors in 1992, before that they used drawings developed for the US Department of Defense. Of the standard equipment, it is worth noting a camouflage poncho with a hood, which, if necessary, can be used as an awning. It is completed with a warm lining, also dual-purpose, as it can act as a blanket.

In cold weather, Italian military personnel may wear wool sweaters with a zip-top turtleneck.

As far as shoes are concerned, Lightweight boots for wearing in hot climates deserve special mention.. Their lower part, the actual boot, is made of durable leather; high top - soft, made of fabric and suede. Special eyelets are used for ventilation. Additional protection against getting into the shoes of sand or small stones provide nylon gaiters worn over trousers and shoes.

The full dress partially contains accessories left over from the old days; so, for the Carabinieri, these are cocked hats with a plume. Almost every unit wears its own variety of uniforms, which also differ depending on the status of the solemn event. For example, only soldiers of the Mechanized Grenadier Brigade of Sardinia, created in 1831, wear high fur hats similar to those worn by the English guards to participate in parades.

Our days: reforms

Since 2012, the Italian army has been reformed. The goal is to create a new model of the Armed Forces and balanced spending. To begin with, the personnel, including command personnel, were significantly reduced, and investments in the modernization of the army were increased. Unused weapons and property should be liquidated or sold, instead of obsolete models, modern, more efficient ones will be put into operation.

The time of change for the Italian army came back in 2007, when the leadership of the Italian Republic abolished compulsory military service. However, in the event of the country's entry into hostilities, calls may resume.

In the new army model, the focus is on professionals and those who want to join the army voluntarily. Now contractors serve 5 years, and subsequently they can renew the contract twice - each time for one or two years. At the end of the term of service, you can get a job in the police or fire departments - former military personnel are given a priority right to this.

In order to attract the interest of experienced military personnel and increase the effectiveness of the combat personnel, the government of the country has significantly increased the size of the monthly monetary reward; today the salary of the Italian military comes to 2500 Euros per month. There is a campaign to recruit women into the army; today they can hold positions at any level, with almost no restrictions.

Data

1. Troops recruited from representatives of local tribes are called "ascari" (literally "soldier");
2. The Eritrean battalions remained loyal to Italy until its surrender; the rest of the mercenaries deserted;
3. The colonial troops of the army of Italy included cavalry units that used instead of horses ... camels; they were called "mecharistii";
4. At the beginning of the last century, the Italian army fought in Abyssinia, Turkey, in Spain, Albania and Ethiopia;
5. After 1940, Italian troops invaded Greece and Yugoslavia, participated in battles in France, Africa, the USSR;
6. In recent history, the Italian army fought in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya;
7. The Italian Navy has more than 60 warships, including two unique aircraft carriers that have no analogues in the countries Western Europe: they are equipped with short-range air defense systems and anti-ship missiles;
8. Italian military bases store 50 nuclear bombs for the US Air Force; 20 more of the same bombs are intended for use by the Italian army;
9. In the duties of the carabinieri from the division special units includes: security environment, health and labor, the fight against counterfeiters, the protection of ancient monuments, the control of food production standards;
10. In the army of Italy, there is still a cuirassier regiment, the Honorary Guard of the President of the Italian Republic. When participating in parades, they can wear historical cuirasses and helmets with feathers, and, of course, white leggings;
11. Carabinieri, as an elite branch of the military, are required to constantly improve their physical fitness and improve their professional skills, including improving fire and mountain training.

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Italian air force structure. Italy has a very rich aviation history - suffice it to say that it was the Italians who first used aircraft for military purposes (in 1911 in Libya during the Italo-Turkish war). Currently, the Italian Air Force - Aeronautica Militare - is one of the three main branches of the country's armed forces.
The Italian Air Force has about 470 aircraft and helicopters and approximately 43 thousand people serve.

Emblem and identification mark of the Italian Air Force

The motto of the Air Force is "Virtute Siderum Tenus" ("with courage to the stars"). In organizational terms, the Air Force consists of the Air Squadron Command, the Support Command, the Aviation Schools Command, the Air Operations Command and two commands of the aviation districts 1st in Milan and 3rd in Baria.
Italian air force structure, command of the air squadron (COMANDO DELLA SQUADRA AEREA).
Almost all aviation units are subordinate to this Command, with the exception of training ones.

Basic organizational units

• - stormo (Stormo - letters, "flock"), roughly corresponding to the regiment;
• - gruppo (Gruppo) - analogue of the squadron;
• - Squadriglia - corresponds to the link.

The most modern combat vehicles are the Typhoon fighters, which are armed with three stormos (air regiments): the 4th in Grosseto (9th and 20th combat training groups), the 3rd in Gioia del Colle (10th and 12th -th group) and 37th in Trapani (18th group).

Italian Air Force multirole fighter Eurofighter "Typhoon" photo, two have refueling probes, and the first does not

Attack aviation is represented by Tornado fighter-bombers, which are in service with the 6th stormo in Gedi (102nd combat training, 154th and 156th groups), as well as the 50th stormo in Piacenza (155th group specializing in reconnaissance and electronic warfare).
Lighter AMX fighter-bombers are available in the 32nd stormo in Amendol (13th and 101st combat training groups, as well as the 28th unmanned aerial vehicles) and the 51st stormo in Istrana (103rd and 132nd i intelligence). The 41st stormo is deployed in Sigonella, which includes the 88th group with base patrol aircraft. Most of the transport workers have been consolidated into the 46th air brigade (Pisa), which includes the 2nd and 50th groups with medium C-130J aircraft, as well as the 98th with light C-27J. The 14th stormo (Pratica di Mare) includes tanker aircraft KS-767 and light transport R.180, the 31st (Ciampino) - aircraft for the transport of dignitaries. The 15th Stormo, headquartered in Cervia, combines helicopters assigned to five search and rescue centers located at various airfields.

"Tornado" IDS of the 6th regiment of the Italian Air Force. Afghanistan, 2008

Ground air defense is provided by the 2nd stormo (700th and 701st groups with the Spada air defense system), the 1st special forces brigade and the 313th aerobatic team "Frekke Tricolori" ("Three-color arrows") are also subordinate to the command of the air squadron, serving on MB.339PAN aircraft.

Italian aerobatics Frecce tricolori

Aerobatic team of the Italian Air Force "Frecce tricolori". RIAT International Airshow Gloucestershire 2013

at the Flugtag air show in Germany in 88, on a collision course, one plane rams a group, damaging two. As a result of the disaster, about 400 people were injured, 70 died

Italian air force structure aviation school command.
Future military pilots undergo initial training in the 70th stormo (Latina), which includes the 207th group with SF.260EA propeller-driven aircraft. Basic and advanced training is provided by the 61st stormo in Lecce. Its 213th group is equipped with MB.339A jets, and the 212th - MB.339CD with more modern on-board equipment.

High-speed check-in Lamborghini and fighter-bomber Tornado on a 3-kilometer segment. Leading in the initial stretch, Lamborghini still lost, Tornado's 38,000 l / s played their part, he crossed the finish line at a speed of more than 750 km / h, and a sports car of more than 300

For the training of helicopter pilots, the 72nd Stormo (Frosignone) serves with the 208th Group (NH 500E helicopters), which also provides training for flight personnel for army and naval aviation. The Support Command includes various ground units (supply, repair, etc.), and the Air Operations Command includes two radar groups (12 radar posts).
Modernization
The Italian Air Force is currently completing the purchase of the last of the 87 ordered Typhoon fighters.

Italian Air Force AMX during a training flight. Nellis Air Force Base, 2009

Tornado and AMX aircraft are undergoing modernization, and in the future they will be replaced by fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter-bombers.
It is planned to purchase 90 of these aircraft: 60 F-35A and 30 F-35 (including 15 for naval aviation), but this number is likely to be revised down.

In the near future, the Air Force will include two AWACS G.550 aircraft purchased in Israel as an "offset" for the supply of training M.346 "Master" to this country. The latter were also bought by Italy itself - so far in relatively small quantities (15 units). Obsolete base patrol aircraft "Atlantic" are being replaced by ATR 72ASW machines, created on the basis of passenger ones. The command pays great attention to updating the fleet of search and rescue helicopters.

heavy helicopter AW101, plans to increase the fleet by 15 machines

To replace light vehicles AB 212, deliveries of AW 139 helicopters began, and HH-3F, starting in 2014, will be replaced by heavier AW 101 (15 units ordered).
Aircraft and helicopter fleet of Italians.
Multirole fighters

"Typhoon" F-200 (VTF-2000 - 60/11 (+ 25 ordered)
Fighter-bombers

• Tornado IDS/ECR - 60/15
• AMX/AMX-ET - 43/12

Basic patrol aircraft

• "Atlantic" - 4
• ATR72ASW-1 (+4 ordered)

Electronic reconnaissance aircraft

• G.222-3

Tankers

• KS-767 - 4

Transport aircraft

• C-130J/C-130J-30/KC-130J - 5/10/6
• C-27J-12
• A319-3
• "Falcon" 900 - 5
• Falcon 50-2
• R.180-14

• SF.260-30
• MB.339A/PAN/CD - 34/18/29
• М.346-3 (+12 ordered)

Helicopters

• NH500E-49
• AB 212 - 33
• AW139-3 (+17 on order)
• HH-3F-21

Unmanned aerial vehicles

Unmanned aerial vehicles RQ-1B-6

• RQ-1B-6
• MQ-9A - 6

Abyssinia

The area of ​​Abyssinia was 3.5 times the area of ​​Italy (without colonies). The capital Addis Ababa was located almost in the center of the country. Abyssinia could become Italy's resource base, as its subsoil was rich in minerals, including gold and oil. Diverse climatic conditions countries and fertile soils made it possible to develop agriculture (2-3 crops per year), cattle breeding, cotton growing, etc. Abyssinia was a poor agricultural country. At the same time, there was little bread, and during the war it was bought in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. The main export commodities were raw leather and coffee. Industry was present only in the form of handicrafts.

Abyssinia is distinguished by the fact that most of the territory is filled with high uplands, on which terrace-like mountains of an average height of 2500-3500 meters rise. They are separated by a wide depression (fault) in the center of the country, which begins in the depths of Africa, in the region of Lake Tanganyika. The depression ends at the Red Sea and divides the mountains into the northern (Eritrean) and southern (Somali) ranges.

Mountain gorges are impassable. The Eritrean mountains represent a series of lines for consistent defense by the front to the north and northeast. The northern part of the Eritrean Ridge is in Eritrea, which made it easier for the Italians to launch an offensive. The mountainous terrain of the country facilitated defense and partisan operations, and at the same time worsened the possibility of using equipment. The most convenient for the offensive was the strip in the fault area. But here, to the east, was the Danakil Desert. Thus, for the blitzkrieg, troops were needed ready to fight in the mountain and desert theater, and the corresponding equipment.

From the waterfront highest value played the river Takkeze with tributaries. On the northern front, the border line was the Mareb River. Lake Tana, which was important for irrigating the cotton plantations of Sudan and Egypt (the Blue Nile flowed from it), was the subject of a dispute between England and Italy. On the Blue Nile in the Sennar region, the British built a dam in 1925 to irrigate the fields. This grandiose construction gave Britain a reason to demand control over the regime of the Blue Nile in northwestern Abyssinia. In the south, in the fault area, a chain of lakes and a number of rivers flowing from the Somali Range covered Addis Ababa from Italian Somalia. In many areas of the east of the country, during the period of drought, the problem of water supply was acute. Main woodlands located in the basin of the Takkaze River and along the rivers of the southern slope of the Somali Range. These forests allowed for partisan operations.

From June to September, the so-called. a period of "great rains", which created great difficulties in the use of mechanized transport, and also seriously raised the level of rivers and other bodies of water. Therefore, the Italian command planned a blitzkrieg to complete the hostilities before the onset of the "big rains". In addition, in the region of the Somali Ridge and Addis Ababa there was still a period of "small rains" - from March to May (they were brought by monsoons from the Indian Ocean).

In Abyssinia, the road network was poorly developed. Almost all the paths were for pack transport. The so-called. "imperial" route - caravan road from Eritrea to Addis Ababa. The same paths led from the south to the second most important city in Ethiopia - Harar. The road between Addis Ababa and Dessier, with appropriate repairs, allowed vehicular traffic. This road could be extended to the port of Assab, which the Italians took into account. The Ethiopian capital was connected by a single-track railway to the French port of Djibouti, but this road was a French concession. In addition, the Abyssinians could use two roads to communicate with the outside world (during the war with Italy). Two roads went from Addis Ababa to Gallabat and Kurmuk (Sudan), one road from Harar to British Somalia. These routes could be used to obtain grain and ammunition. Thus, there were few communications in Abyssinia, which required serious road work and road protection from the Italians.

The population of the country totaled 12 million people. The main core of the population was the Amhara group (5 million people). Their language was dominant. Abyssinia was dominated by feudal and patriarchal structures. Between the emperor (negus) and the big princes (races) there were major contradictions on issues of domestic policy related to the modernization of the country, the creation of a centralized state, a regular army and reforms aimed at the final elimination of slavery. Separate races, dissatisfied with the policy of centralization and modernization of the country, which led to the loss of power and income, rebelled more than once and had connections with European powers interested in the weakness of Ethiopia. As a result, Italy could rely on Ethiopian collaborators, traitors who put their personal interests above national ones. In addition, contradictions were growing between the feudal class and the peasant masses, mostly landless. In Ethiopia, uprisings began more than once.

Thus, the external enemies of Ethiopia could use some of the feudal lords who were dissatisfied with the modernization of the country, as well as national and religious contradictions. The technical backwardness of the country, poorly developed transport and communications, lack of food security, the presence of dependent tribes and slaves weakened the country's defense capability.

Benito Mussolini meets Ethiopian traitors in Rome

The armed forces of the parties to the beginning of the war. Italy

The Italian command, preparing for war, proceeded from two main conditions. First, due to political complications in Europe, it was impossible to weaken the armed forces in Italy. Therefore, instead of the divisions sent to Africa, new ones were immediately formed. As a result, the army in the metropolis not only did not decrease, but even increased. Mussolini boasted that he would keep the conscripts of 1911-1914 under arms. birth until he sees fit, and that "900 thousand soldiers fully ensure our security ... They are equipped with the latest, released ... military factories," which "work at full speed for several months."

Secondly, it was recognized that it was necessary to send such a force to Abyssinia in order to end the war as soon as possible. Already in the course of the war, as it became clear that nothing threatened Italy in Europe and global community indifferent to the tragedy of Abyssinia (except the USSR), Italy carried out additional mobilization and strengthened the colonial grouping.

Italian soldiers go to Abyssinia

Italian troops consisted of three types of divisions:

Regular troops consisted of mobilized soldiers. They had good combat training.

Divisions of blackshirts - voluntary militia of national security. These were the armed detachments of the National Fascist Party, organized by Mussolini. They included representatives of the nationalist intelligentsia, retired officers, bourgeois youth, and landowners. The Blackshirts, although inferior in combat training to regular troops, had a high morale, so they were interspersed in army corps and task forces.

The colonial (native) divisions did not have a firm organization and were included in the regular troops. They were fairly well trained and knew the local conditions well. But these units did not enjoy the full confidence of the command, so they were distributed between regular and fascist formations. Thus, the expeditionary army had a rather motley composition.

Italian gunners

The first mobilization order was announced on February 5, 1935. By the end of August 1935, the mobilization of troops, originally intended for the war with Abyssinia, was completed. In general, 5 regular, 4 black-shirt (fascist) and 2 native divisions were mobilized in several stages and sent to war. In addition, separate militia, police and native units that were not part of the divisions were formed and sent to the front. This amounted to more than 270 thousand soldiers. Together with the mobilized workers - 30 thousand Italians and 45 thousand local population of Eritrea and Somalia, up to 350 thousand people were concentrated on the Abyssinian front at the beginning of the war. Already during the war, Italy transferred reinforcements. The Italian forces increased to 500 thousand people, including 9 divisions of the regular army (7 infantry, 1 Alpine and 1 motorized), 6 divisions of the fascist militia. At the end of the war, the expeditionary army consisted of up to 21 divisions, including 7 blackshirt and 4 colonial, 1 cavalry brigade and 35 separate battalions. Thus, Italy formed a powerful expeditionary army in order to end the war in a short time and not drag out the fighting.

Italian troops were equipped according to local conditions. In addition, they tried to ensure that the contingents could quickly get used to local conditions. IN infantry divisions, who were transferred to the Eritrean (Northern) front, sent natives of the highland regions of Italy; troops destined for the Somali (Southern) front were replenished with natives of Sicily, as well as people who had experience of living in the subtropical and tropical conditions of the South and Central America. Colonial (native) troops were replenished with the indigenous population of Eritrea, Somalia and Libya. The population of Eritrea and Somalia provided up to 15% of the expeditionary army.

Italy was quite seriously preparing for the war, the lessons of the last war, which ended in defeat, were remembered. The troops underwent a course of tactical training in the highlands. For officers, many of whom knew the conditions of colonial service, special courses were organized. The Italian General Staff issued a special instruction for action in the Abyssinian theater. The troops received the task that, having captured a certain area, they carefully mastered the occupied territory, built roads, bridges, and organized the work of the rear. It was necessary to continue offensive operations. Before the war, Italy organized an intelligence network in Ethiopia that studied the country, bribed the feudal lords,
and carried out subversive propaganda. This activity was facilitated by the absence of the Abyssinian security service and the use of diplomatic, trade, scientific and research missions.

Taking into account the fact that Britain could block the main communication through Suez, Italy took seriously the preparation of the areas of concentration of the expeditionary army in Eritrea and Somalia. If necessary, they were to become the main bases for the army. Ports were expanded, roads, airfields, etc. were built. First of all, the possibilities of ports in Eritrea were increased. So, after the modernization, the main port of Massawa could receive more than 40 instead of 2-3 steamers per day. The port of Assa was also reconstructed, in Italian Somalia - the ports of Mogadishu and Bandar Qasim. In addition to the existing railways, the Massawa-Asmara line was built, Mogadishu-Lug was under construction. Since the main forces were concentrated in the north, apart from railway, the Massawa-Asmara highway and the cable car were built. The ports of Mogadishu and Bandar Qasim were connected by a highway. The airfield network was equipped and communication lines were laid. To ensure a calm concentration of incoming troops in the border zone, small forts with wire fences were prepared. They were initially defended by colonial troops, and then regular units began to be located behind them. However, the Abyssinians did not interfere with the enemy, they only hastily strengthened their border posts.

Great attention was paid to the water supply of the army, which was especially important in the eastern part of Ethiopia, where droughts occurred. Special units were introduced into the expeditionary army, which, on the one hand, were supposed to build a network of artesian wells, on the other hand, to deliver water to the troops by tank trucks (200 cars, 2500 liters each, for 10 thousand people) and transport aircraft in desert areas. To accommodate troops in the hot regions of Eritrea and Somalia, barracks were built from materials with low thermal conductivity. In the main points of the colonies, warehouses for supplies were built, refrigerators for meat were placed. The ration of a soldier of the expeditionary army consisted of bread, meat, sugar, coffee, canned vegetables, fats and spices. The wearable supply of a soldier consisted of 2 liters of water, a 4-day ration of food (crackers and canned food). For this, personal ammunition had to be reduced from 200 to 110 rounds.

The general command of the Italian troops in East Africa was carried out by General Emilio de Bono (from November 1935 - Field Marshal Pietro Bodoglio). Italy deployed the main strike force in Eritrea, where 10 regular and fascist divisions arrived. Of these, the Northern Front was formed, first consisting of 3, and then 5 corps (75% of all forces of the expeditionary army). The front struck at Dessier (Dessie) and further on the Ethiopian capital. At the end of the war, there were 5 corps on the Northern Front and two groups of generals Couture and Mariotti to provide flanks. The southern front in Somalia was of auxiliary importance and was supposed to tie up as many Ethiopian troops as possible, advancing in the direction of Harer and Addis Ababa. Here the troops were combined into two operational groups (up to two divisions). The southern front was commanded by Rodolfo Graziani. There was also a central operational direction (up to one division). The troops of the Central Front were supposed to secure the flanks and communications of the Northern and Southern groups and advance from the Assab area in the direction of Dessier.

In September, while spending my next vacation in Italy, I was lucky enough to discover Rome, where I was already for the fourth time, from a new perspective. It turns out that in this city they also block roads for the passage of motorcades of officials who wanted to lay wreaths at the eternal flame, they can also cordon off the central square for a military parade, naturally, creating traffic jams, attractions are closed for tourists, and they also rehearse drill right on the city streets.

I witnessed two small (by our standards) military parades at once over the course of several days, which made it possible to take a closer look different types parade and everyday uniforms of various branches of the armed forces of Italy. Well, at the same time compare our and Italian military fashion. Unfortunately, no matter how much I tried to google, I did not find a single guide or article on the types of forms, therefore my conclusions will be intuitive and based only on external signs. Do not judge strictly:)

In general, the armed forces of Italy consist of four branches of service: land, naval, air force and carabinieri corps.

We saw the first mini-parade next to the Quirinal Palace, which now serves as the residence of the President of Italy. Probably, in our realities, it would be something like demonstration performances by the Presidential Regiment.
To the sounds of a military band, identically dressed guys and girls marched in front of the palace and descended into the underground catacombs of the castle, passing along the neighboring street.

Military Band of the Presidential Regiment. The musicians left first.

At the head of the formation are handsome guys with the flag of the country. The length of the beard and the shape of the shave, apparently, are not determined by the charter. The color of the uniform, by the way, indicates that these are ordinary ground troops, but the fact that they serve in the Presidential Palace clearly cancels their usualness.

It is very strange that men and women have exactly the same cut of trousers and shirts.
And at the same time, the uniform sits objectively better on men. Each fighter not only has a machine gun, but also a solid dagger for potential close combat.

One of them noticed me... :)

The second parade was already longer famous monument Vittoriano. In order to hold this parade for about an hour or an hour and a half, traffic was blocked along one of the central squares of Rome - Piazza Venezia. Naturally, solid traffic jams formed on all adjacent streets and alleys, because this intersection is one of the most intense traffic in Rome.

Here, by the way, Piazza Venezia.

On a hot September afternoon, to the sound of a military band, several detachments of different branches of the military came out of the Vittoriano building. And to the sounds of a military band again, the soldiers beautifully marched exactly to the center of the square. No one has started taking pictures yet, I ran like crazy along the newly blocked roadway and took pictures of people in unusual uniforms.

Judging by the range of uniforms, red and black, the honorary carabinieri were the first to march. And actually the question arose, why are fur hats in Italy?

"Love the girls of simple romantics, brave pilots and sailors..." :)
So, snow-white sailors ...

I can assume that those very brave pilots followed them ...
Check out the vintage boots.

And then there were some very strange guys. I really can’t imagine what kind of military service this is.
Their captain had a mop on his head. No, really, a mop, these are now sold in all hardware stores. And the guys in the ranks had dust collectors attached to their heads ...

Maybe it's the fighters for purity?? But anyway, they are great!!

The higher ranks were visibly worried: probably due to the fact that the servicemen were not dressed for the weather, it was about 35 degrees outside, and someone buttoned up and wearing a hat would surely faint.

A guard of honor was beautifully lined up on the stairs. It is immediately clear that it is not necessary for everyone to be in perfect physical shape: there is a boy with cheeks;)

Unfortunately, there was no way to get closer to them. Crowds of tourists with very gentle movements tried to disperse very nice policemen on different sides of the street.

Well, less pretty representatives law enforcement Italy with tension looked in the direction where their colleagues were rapidly gaining popularity balls and catching the languid sighs of tourists;)

Well, after a while there were those because of whom all this "cheese-boron". Naturally, it was a cortege with darkened windows (Yes, yes, there are such in Italy too). He was accompanied by carabinieri on motorcycles. This one right out of "Terminator 2" got out.

These guys moved in sync.

Well, here powers of the world this came out of the machines. And went to accept the parade.

And here is the actual reason for the transport collapse in the very center of Rome. As you know, it is on the Vittoriano that the monument is located Eternal Fire.

After the Italian anthem played, the military received the command "at ease", and the official guys quickly retreated.

After that, everyone sharply got together and, to the beat of a military drum, everyone marched in the same direction from where they had appeared. In total, one of the central squares of the city was blocked for about 40-50 minutes. As soon as the platoons began to leave the square, traffic began to open

First came the military band.

Blue - the traditional color of the sky - belongs to the Air Force without division into positions.

White - sailors.

Well, in the end, people in marsh-colored uniforms passed. And I'm confused about the colors again.

Well, apart from this entire collection of uniforms of employees in the Eternal City is the clothes of the representative of the local traffic police, the traffic controller and his snow-white gloves. In particularly difficult moments, for example, during the morning rush hour, there are several such traffic controllers at once at each intersection on Venice Square. They stand on a high bedside table, but often because of the buses that drive around Rome no worse than mopeds, it is not visible.

These are the guys you can meet on the streets of Rome. The Swiss Guard of the Vatican stands apart, but that's another story.

In the face of the financial crisis, Italian Defense Minister Giampaolo di Paola presented to the country's government and parliament a proposal for a large-scale reform of the existing structure of the Italian army. The reform is to reduce the number of personnel and create more modern army. But in the short term, the army will have to face serious cuts in the budget and investment in military construction.

The proposed reform will lead to the creation of a new model of the Armed Forces, which should balance the costs of maintaining personnel (70% in the budget of the Ministry of Defense for 2012) and other sections of the military budget (current maintenance of the Armed Forces and the purchase of new weapons and military equipment). The goal, announced by Minister Di Paolo, is to bring the structure of the military budget to European standards: 50% for personnel, 25% for the operation of the Armed Forces and 25% for arms purchases.

Savings of the order of 2 billion euros, which can be obtained over the next 10 years due to the reform (read, “reductions” - note P. 2) of personnel, will theoretically be invested in the purchase of new weapons. Until then, programs to purchase new weapons must tighten their belts. The procurement budget of the Ministry of Defense in 2012 alone lost 970 million euros. In 2012-2014 The Ministry of Defense must save another 3 billion euros, which will significantly affect the purchase of weapons. The budget of the Ministry of Defense will be frozen at the level of 12-14 billion euros for the period 2012-2014.

Following the announcement of a 41-unit reduction in F-35 fighter jet purchases, other programs will also soon see sharp cuts in the Defense Department's procurement budget. In particular, the procurement programs for NH90 helicopters and U212-type submarines may be affected.

Giampaolo di Paola | ilpost.it

List of main measures

The armed forces will be reduced from 190,000 to 151,000: 43,000 vacancies (of which 10,000 civil servants) will be cut to save 2 billion euros. In 2021, the army will have 18,000 officers, 18,000 non-commissioned officers, 22,300 sergeants, 56,000 full-time volunteers and 24,000 fixed-term volunteers. The number of generals and admirals will be reduced by 30%. Those people who will be affected by the reform should be transferred to other state structures. The government also expects to stimulate their recruitment in the defense industry.

Gradual increase in investments in the renewal of the army from 16,424 euros to 26,458 euros per soldier.

Reform of command structures: merging overlapping command structures within the three branches of the armed forces and abolishing territorial commands, which are seen as an obsolete remnant of the Cold War.

The abolition of two brigades, the closure of bases, the sale of unused real estate: it is planned to reduce 30% of army infrastructure (barracks, training grounds, etc.) within five to six years. The ground forces will be reduced from 11 to 9 brigades, part of the heavy weapons, helicopters, artillery and supplies will be eliminated. In the Navy, the number of patrol ships, as well as minesweepers and submarines (from six to four) will be reduced from 18 to 10. In the Air Force, fighters and tactical attack aircraft will be reduced (there are currently Tornado, AMX and AV-8B aircraft in service).

Reducing the number of purchased F-35 fighters by 41 units: an order for 90 fighters has been confirmed. The Ministry of Defense expects to save 5 billion euros. According to Defense Minister Giorgio di Paola, the adoption of the F-35 will replace almost 160 Italian aircraft, that is, one new aircraft will replace 1.8 old aircraft. To compensate for the decline in employment at the assembly plant in Cameri, the Italian Ministry of Defense is negotiating with Lockheed Martin to increase the capacity of this plant. Italy expects that not only aircraft of the Italian order, but also for Holland and Norway will be assembled in Cameri. Recall that Kameri is already responsible for the production of fuselage and wing elements for aircraft intended for customers from Europe and Asia.

Retention of the air wing of the aircraft carrier Cavour: Italy remains interested in modifying the F-35B VTOL fighter.

Necessary reductions in other programs for the purchase of weapons: according to the rule approved by the Supreme Council of Defense on February 8, 2012, it is possible to scale up programs (reduction, postponement of funding) in order to maintain at a reasonable cost obsolete weapons that were planned for replacement. This is most true of the NH90 helicopter procurement program (416 million euros in 2011 with a total program cost of 3.8 billion euros) and U212 submarines (168 million euros in 2011 with a total program cost of 1.8 billion euros). Euro).

Adapted from Didier Rafidiarimanda "La sauvegarde de la BITD italienne", CEIS Policy Papers, March 2012.

Prepared by Andrey Frolov