Italy pushes for more European warships, but also wants to cut costs
Guido Crosetto, Italy's defence minister, on Friday again called insufficient the contributions provided to the European Union's Red Sea Aspides naval operation, and indicated that Italy is ready to increase its presence if other member states make similar commitments. In a statement to The National, he stressed that the mission requires modern ships with adequate speed and technological capabilities. According to diplomatic sources, six warships serve in the operation launched in 2024 to protect commercial shipping, while Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, had previously said more than ten were needed.
The importance of the security of maritime routes is heightened by the fact that the Yemeni Houthis' advance and attacks in the Red Sea threaten the region's energy infrastructure as well as shipping traffic. To partly bypass the disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia has used the Red Sea port of Yanbu, meaning that threats to the routes there also affect an alternative export option that has played a role in easing the Middle East's fuel crisis. According to Crosetto, Italy and Greece bear a significant share of the operation's continuous presence, while France contributes periodically. Alongside the statement urging greater military capacity, Rome is preparing to scale back the planned increase in defence spending.
According to Reuters' government sources, in drawing up the new budget trajectory, the previously planned increase would be reduced in order to keep public debt under control. According to Defense News , the additional funds hoped for from the easing of EU fiscal rules for defence purposes could end up as much as eight billion euros smaller, after Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini pushed for the cut; according to the paper's source, the change has been agreed but has yet to be finalized. The dispute also touches on the governing coalition's policy on Ukraine, since Salvini's League opposes continuing military support and favors reaching an agreement with Moscow, whereas Giorgia Meloni continues to back Kyiv. The tension between budgetary room for maneuver and alliance commitments is therefore both a financial and a political issue: Italy's leadership is calling for greater European involvement in maritime security, while facing strong resistance at home to raising defence spending.
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