Meeting between Minister Crosetto, the Chief of Defence Staff, the National Armaments Director, and representatives of the Defence industry

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“Today I convened an emergency videoconference meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Luciano Portolano, the National Armaments Director, Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani, and representatives of the Italian defence industry. Around 130 people took part in the meeting.

The purpose of the meeting was to share the complex geopolitical situation, particularly now in the Middle East, and to encourage and hold the defence industry accountable for safeguarding national interests, committing beyond normal commercial standards.

During the meeting, I urged the defence industry to report all available operational capabilities, programmes nearing completion, and any initiatives that could help, in the very short term, further strengthen the country’s defence — particularly air defence — as well as that of allied and friendly nations.

I also stressed that, at such a delicate and dramatic moment, it is essential to minimise obstacles and bureaucratic procedures, which are increasingly incompatible with needs that cannot wait and which negatively affect efficiency and, ultimately, the country’s own security.

At this moment, it is of fundamental importance that the entire national system operates in close synergy and with speed in the face of an international situation that could deteriorate, creating significant complications and difficulties for Italy both on the geopolitical and economic fronts.”

Thus stated the Minister of Defence, Guido Crosetto.