The Italian National Armaments Directorate throughout history

In this page, the technical-administrative evolution of the Italian Ministry of Defence over the last 100 years will be described, in order to better understand the steps that led to the establishment and subsequent updates of the National Armaments Directorate (NAD).
1915-1920
Despite being a deeply tragic event, the First World War marked a turning point for strategic science and military doctrine.
During the war, Italy saw the introduction of ground-breaking weapon systems, such as airplanes (which Italy first employed during the Italo-Turkish War) and tanks. Since 1916, the latter became crucial in the battles on the Western Front. Moreover, chemical and biological weapons emerged as lethal battlefield instruments.
In this context, the demand for raw materials and semi-finished products by the arms industry grew exponentially, alongside the need to develop new skills to adapt to the enemies' newly developed technologies.

The FIAT 2000, the first Italian tank, first employed in 1917 in two units

With Royal Decree No. 1065, the Supreme Committee for the Supply of Weapons and Ammunition and the Under-Secretariat of State for Weapons and Ammunition were established within the Ministry of War.
The chief of the Under-Secretariat was General Alfredo Dallolio. Under his request, the Under-Secretariat became responsible for every aspect related to ammunition, armaments and air force services provided by the Army and Navy, in compliance with the programmes established by the respective Ministries.

The work carried out by General Dallolio and the Under-Secretariat in general was crucial for the Kingdom of Italy’s victory in the Great War.
From the Interwar Period to the Second World War
After the end of the Great War, the demand for warfare materials drastically decreased. Because of this, weapon and ammunition factories were closed or repurposed. Therefore, the industry, whose support to the Royal Italian Armed Forces was crucial, needed a new organisation.
Mussolini’s Government made the first step in this direction: General Dallolio was appointed President of the Committee for Preparation of Civil Mobilisation. He worked on Law No. 969 of 1925, “The Nation’s Organisation for War”, which led to the establishment of two new organisations: the Defence Supreme Commission (1928) and the General Commissariat for War Fabrications (COFEFAG, 1935).

COFEFAG’s main task was receiving and classifying requests from all the different bodies, checking if there were enough allocated raw materials and, finally, distribution, while exerting no control over production.


General Carlo Favagrossa	General Alfredo Dellolio

Right before the start of the Second World War, COFEFAG evolved into the Under-Secretariat for War Fabrications (FABRIGUERRA). General Dallolio resigned and General Carlo Favagrossa was his successor. However, just like his predecessor, he was unable to gain control over production.

In order to solve this issue, General Favagrossa requested and obtained FABRIGUERRA’s full control over the whole war order system.

From the second post-war period to NATO
After the Second World War, Italy became one of the founding members of the Atlantic Alliance, established in 1949. As a result, the Italian Armed Forces underwent a significant restructuring. With Decree No. 17 of 4 February 1947, issued by the Provisional Head of State, the Ministries of War, Navy, and Air Force were merged into the Ministry of Defence. In the specific case of the Ministry of War, this change was particularly significant, as the role of the Italian military had shifted. It was no longer an aggressive force, but rather a guardian of constitutional values and principles. This is why the name “Ministry of Defence” was chosen.
An amendment to the aforementioned Decree (No. 306 of 10 May 1947) established three General Secretariats, one for each of the Armed Forces.
1965-1978
At the beginning of the 60s, improving the technical-administrative aspect of the Italian Defence became a priority. To this end, a body was established to manage productive, economic and financial aspects in a unified way.
With the Decree No. 1478 of 18 November 1965, the President of the Italian Republic reorganised the whole sector and established a joint technical-administrative institution, led by a Secretary General, whose role entailed guiding and coordinating all technical-administrative activities, while also implementing the Minister’s guidelines and coordinating the administrative acts and affairs carried out by the General Directorates and the joint central Offices.
The Secretary General, recommended by the Minister of Defence, was appointed by decree of the President of the Republic, following deliberation by the Council of Ministers.
For his new role, the Secretary General of Defence could count on a specific structure, with around 6,000 employees.
1978-1997
With the Ministerial Decree of 24 November 1978, the Ministry of Defence ratified that “the Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, while maintaining his previous tasks, will also undertake the role of National Armaments Director”. Therefore, the new Secretary General’s functions included:
- Advising and cooperating with the Chiefs of Staff Committee in research, development, production and supply of materials and vehicles to avoid the duplication of initiatives and the waste of resources;
- Following the progress of joint and Armed Forces’ projects, while coordinating all procurement programmes abroad and orders placed to the Italian industry;
- Coordinating the Country’s economic, industrial, technical and scientific policies, while keeping contacts with the General Staff, the General Directorates, the involved Ministries and the best technological culture centres in the Nation;
- Orienting the national industry in the fields of research and study, according to the needs and modernisation programmes within the military instrument, taking special care of cooperation with the relevant bodies in Allied Countries.

1997 – today
Law No. 25 of 18 February 1997 reorganised once again the Italian Defence’s structure, placing under the Minister’s direct authority:
- The Chief of Defence Staff, in charge of implementing directives in the fields of planning, logistic support, training, funds allocation, and employment of national operational instruments and of the Armed Forces;
- The Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director, in charge of implementing directives in the fields of high administration, organisation and structure of the technical, administrative and industrial sectors within the Ministry of Defence.

Palazzo Guidoni – the NAD’s Headquartes

The structure of the Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Directorate stems from the 1997 reform, up until the further and substantial 2023-2024 evolution. With this last update, organisational units with similar functions were merged. This led to a substantial red tape reduction, contributed to the reorganisation of the Defence industry and the technical-logistic system (arsenals, maintenance and production facilities), introduced new management and accounting instruments (e.g., the Administrative Responsibility Centre), and pushed the enhancement of civilian personnel.
On 20 June 2024, the Council of Minister has approved Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers No. 99, proposed by the Honourable Guido Crosetto, the Italian Minister of Defence, making substantial changes to the Consolidated Text of the Regulatory Provisions on Military Organisation (TUOM).
The aforementioned Decree officially separated the roles of Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director. This process was started by the June 2023 Decree-Law No. 75, in order to ensure a swifter, more efficient response to national needs, while also facing international challenges and complexities in the best possible way.