Italy’s draft 2027 budget includes measures to establish voluntary defence reserve forces and create an auxiliary Carabinieri role within that reserve. The legislation is being examined by the Chamber of Deputies in its first reading, so the proposals could be amended during the parliamentary process.
The reserve forces are described in the bill as a pool of trained personnel available to support and reinforce the armed forces and help meet defence capability needs. A new fund would finance the voluntary reserve, with €26.4 million allocated for 2027, €423.2 million for 2028, €434.9 million for 2029, €299.1 million for 2030 and €242 million for 2031. From 2032, the proposed annual allocation is €218.2 million.
The fund would also receive additional financing for operational defence services: €206 million in each of 2027 and 2028, followed by €171 million annually from 2029.
The bill would add the auxiliary Carabinieri of the voluntary reserve to the Military Code. It authorises a contingent of 600 personnel in 2027 and 1,000 a year from 2028. The auxiliary Carabinieri and trainee auxiliary Carabinieri would be included in the enlisted personnel category.
The proposal also reserves places in recruitment competitions for entry-level Carabinieri careers for auxiliary reservists who are serving or discharged, are no older than 32, and have completed at least 12 months of service without disciplinary or performance-related discredit.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore Italia.