Military of Italy

Italy has worked closely with the United States and others on such issues as NATO and UN operations as well as with assistance to Russia and the New Independent States[?], Middle East peace process, multilateral talks, Somalia and Mozambique peacekeeping, and combating drug trafficking, trafficking in women and children, and terrorism.

Under longstanding bilateral agreements flowing from NATO membership, Italy hosts important U.S. military forces at Vicenza and Livorno (army); Aviano (air force); and Sigonella, Gaeta, and Naples--home port for the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet. The United States has about 16,000 military personnel stationed in Italy. Italy hosts the NATO War College[?] in Rome.

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza[?] (a specialised police for tax and financial crimes, is also a military corps, but it is going to be transformed, expectedly in a short time, into a civil administration, like it previously happened for State Police, Forrestal police and Prisons' Police).

Military manpower - military age: 18 years of age - Due to a recent decision, Italian Army is becoming a fully-volunteer profession.

Military manpower - availability:
males age 15-49: 14,315,634 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 12,331,306 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
males: 311,160 (2000 est.)

Military expenditures - dollar figure: $23.294 billion (FY99)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.7% (FY99)

See also : Italy