The Secretariat General of Defence / National Armaments Directorate was established in 1965. Its original structure has undergone several changes over time, especially since the end of the Nineties, in order to keep it up to date with new requirements in a more streamlined and efficient way.
Hierarchies, tasks and responsibilities of the organization are laid down in Presidential Decree No. 90 of 15 March 2010. The Secretary General is directly accountable to the Minister of Defence for administrative tasks and to the Chief of Defence Staff for technical-operational tasks. He directs, controls and coordinates the activities of the Ministry’s General Directorates.
The Secretariat General of Defence’s main responsibilities include: the implementation of high-level administrative directives issued by the Minister, the operation of the Defence technical-administrative area, the fostering and coordination of technological research relating to armament materiel, the procurement of materiel, equipment and weapon systems for the Armed Forces, and the support to the Italian Defence industry.
