Forces: December 24, 2002

Archives

:

The Italian press is reporting that the Ariete armored brigade and the Garibaldi Regiment (Italian Army "heavy" units) have been on standby over the last few months for possible deployment to the front lines in Iraq, albeit for a limited period. The Italian Air Force is also looking into the possibility of providing an air unit, probably 15 Tornado ECR's (to knock out enemy radar defenses) or the IDS attack version.

An Italian Defense Staff source told them that "there is no real military requirement: The United States has everything it needs and more for the war against Iraq. But politics might be in favor of keeping Italy lined up in the field with the Americans regardless." However, sending 400 to 500 "Alpini" (mountain troops) to Afghanistan is also a possibility. - Adam Geibel

 


Article Archive

Forces: Current 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 


X

ad
0
20

Help Keep Us Soaring

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling. We need your help in reversing that trend. We would like to add 20 new subscribers this month.

Each month we count on your subscriptions or contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage. A contribution is not a donation that you can deduct at tax time, but a form of crowdfunding. We store none of your information when you contribute..
Subscribe   Contribute   Close