Army of Italy: numbers, uniforms and ranks

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:41

The armies of different countries perform similar tasks, namely, they confront external and internal threats, protect the independence and territorial integrity of the state. Italy also 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, the structure and strength.

Beginning of formation

In 1861, the independent Italian states located on the Apennine Peninsula, namely, Sardinia, the Kingdom of Naples and Sicily, 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 (the events of 1885-1914) and the formation of colonies took place with the direct participation of the country's troops. Since the conquered lands had to be protected from encroachments by other states, the composition of the Italian army was replenished with colonial troops, which were staffed by local residents of Somalia and Eritrea. In 1940, the number was 256 thousand people.

XXcentury

After the country's accession to NATO, the armed forces of Italy, the Alliance has repeatedly involved in its military operations. With the participation of the state army, air strikes on Yugoslavia, support for the government of Afghanistan and the civil war in Libya were carried out. In the 1920s, military power became a priority for the Italian government. Now it was necessary to serve urgent not 8 months, but a year. In 1922, Benito Mussolini came to power, and the topic of fascism became the most popular.

Restoring the Holy Roman Empire and forging a military alliance with Nazi Germany was a top priority for the Italian government. As a result of such a foreign 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

As a result of Mussolini's aggressive policy, the country lost its colonies and in 1943 was forced to capitulate. As a result of repeated defeats on the fronts, Italy suffered significant losses. Nevertheless, this did not stop the state on the way to the formation of a combat-ready army. 6 years after the 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 air forces. In 2001 the listreplenished with another military family - the carabinieri. The total number of the Italian army is 150 thousand people.

About the ground forces

This branch of the Armed Forces is represented by three divisions, three separate brigades (parachute and cavalry brigades, signalmen), air defense troops and four commands responsible for SO (special operations), army aviation, air defense and support.

Mountain Infantry Division "Trindentina" is equipped with two alpine brigades "Julia" and "Taurinense".

"Heavy" division "Friuli" - armored brigade "Ariete", "Pozzuolo de Friuli", mechanized "Sassari".

The Akui division is medium in strength. Includes the Garibaldi brigades and the mechanized Aosta and Pinerolo. Bersaliers are considered the elite of the infantry - highly mobile shooters.

Since 2005, only professional soldiers and volunteers have joined the infantry. The ground forces have Italian-made tanks and other armored vehicles. Artillery and air defense means are supplied to the state from other countries. In addition, over 550 old German tanks are stored in military warehouses.

Fleet

According to military experts, if we compare this military type of the Italian Armed Forces with the rest, then traditionally since the Second World War it has been a level higher. A fleet with a fairly high production and scientific and technical potential. Most of the combat watercraft of our own production. Italy has two state-of-the-art submarines, the SalvatoreTodaro" (two more are being completed), four "Sauro" (in addition, one is used as a training one), aircraft carriers "Giuseppe Garibaldi" and "Cavour". Since the latter transport not only carrier-based aircraft, but also air defense equipment and installations for launching anti-ship missiles, according to the Russian classification, these floating combat units are aircraft-carrying cruisers. There are also modern destroyers in Italy in the amount of 4 pieces: two each "De la Penne" and "Andrea Doria".

Air Force

Despite the fact that 1923 is officially considered the year of the creation of national aviation, Italy, having previously fought with Turkey, has already used aircraft. According to experts, this country was the first to conduct military operations using aviation. The war with Ethiopia, the First World War and the Civil War in Spain were not without the participation of Italian pilots. Italy entered World War II with an aircraft fleet of over 3,000 units. However, at the time of the surrender of the state, the number of combat aircraft units was reduced several times.

Today, Italy has the latest European Typhoon fighters (73 units), Tornado bombers (80 units), domestic-made MB339CD attack aircraft (28 units), Brazilian AMX (57 units), American fighters F-104 (21 units). The latter, due to the highest accident rate, have recently been sent to storage.

About the Carabinieri

This military type was created much later than the others. Consists of two divisions, one brigade and regional divisions. Equipped with helicopter pilots,divers, cynologists, orderlies. Subordinate 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 counter armed criminals.

In addition, the unit as an integral part of the ground forces can be involved in the performance of combined arms missions. 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 combat and moral-psychological training.

About titles

In the Italian army, unlike the Russian Armed Forces with its military and naval ranks, each military branch has its own ranks. The only exception was the ranks of the Air Force, which are identical to the ranks in the SV. In the air force, there is no such rank as brigadier general or major general. The peculiarity of the Italian army is that the highest ranks have the prefix generale, and in aviation - comandante. Only in the SV there is a rank of corporal - a rank between a corporal and a private.

Corporals and corporals are absent in the fleet. There the ranks are represented by sailors and junior specialists. Such ranks as foreman and warrant officer, familiar in the Russian army, are replaced by sergeant majors in the Italian one. There are three ranks for junior officers. The ranks of the captain of the SV and the captain of the gendarmerie correspond to the squadron commander and naval lieutenant commander. In the Italian Navy, the rank of lieutenant is not used, it is replacedmidshipman.

It is noteworthy that naval ranks use ship type names. For example, such a rank as "captain of the 3rd rank" is equivalent to the captain of a corvette. If the rank 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.

The place for the insignia of non-commissioned officers was the sleeves, and foremen shoulder straps. In the army of Italy, you can recognize the officers by looking at the headdress and cuff. Officers have galloons on the bands of their caps or on the left side of their caps, which correspond to the rank they hold. If the fighter is dressed in a tropical jacket and a shirt, which is also called Sahariana, then removable shoulder straps have become a place for insignia.

About field and parade clothes

As in other world armies, the Italian soldier puts on a special camouflage suit to perform a field operation. The Italian army did not use its own colors until 1992. Until that time, the military command was satisfied with the development of the United States Department of Defense. Recently, the Vegetato version of the camouflage, which means “covered with vegetation”, has gained great popularity among the military.

Field equipment is represented by a camouflage poncho, the hood of which can be used as an awning. There is also a warm liner, which, if necessary, will replace the blanket. In the cold season, the soldier wears a woolen sweater that contains a high collar with a zip. shodservicemen in light leather boots with a soft high top. In order to ensure high-quality ventilation, the shoes were equipped with special eyelets. To prevent sand and small stones from getting inside, gaiters made of nylon are provided in the field equipment. They are worn over trousers and combat boots. An integral part of the equipment in the Italian army is the M-39 Alpini satchel.

In an alpine backpack, as mountain shooters also call this marching army bag, you can carry individual equipment, equipment and provisions. In addition to the field uniform, there is also a dress uniform. In the army of Italy, during ceremonial events, carabinieri wear cocked hats with a plume. Each unit has its own parade uniform. For example, Sardinian soldiers serving in the mechanized grenadier brigade wear high fur hats to the celebrations.

Similar used by the English guards. As in the special forces of other countries, berets are used as headgear in Italy. Green color is provided for fighters serving in the Navy. Carabinieri paratroopers wear red berets. The army of Italy, as military experts are convinced, is so developed that within the framework of the European Union and the North Atlantic Alliance it can solve the only task - to supply its soldiers for police special operations conducted by NATO on the territory of other states.