The Italian economic commitment to support the missions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is growing. In the first months of 2023 were allocated 314 million euros to the defense sector (there were 216 million in all of 2022) by the Meloni government. Mainly to strengthen the Eastern European front of the Atlantic Alliance as an anti-Russian deterrent. It was announced by the Italian Milex observatory on military spending. 

"The operational commitment is growing hand in hand: 3400 men (against 2200 last year), 620 land vehicles (100 more than in 2022) and about 30 aircraft (double last year), while they remain stable at 5 naval units", explained by the Observatory, which cites as sources the government documents on international missions being examined by Parliament and the communications of the ministers of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and Defense, Guido Crosetto, to the respective parliamentary commissions. 

Focusing on the aeronautical sector, the following emerges: there is an increase to 345 personnel employed on the Eastern European front. The deployment of aircraft on the surveillance operations front is also increasing, with the use of a second Gulfstream G550 spy aircraft. Even the fighters stationed in Romania and neighboring countries have risen to 12, more than double compared to last year. On the other hand, costs decreased to a total of 60 million Euros (previously they were 96 million).