Italy is also considering joining Operation Eastern Sentry, launched by the Atlantic Alliance after Russian drones infiltrated Polish skies. Despite its already significant contribution to the defense of NATO's eastern flank—with 2,000 troops, four F-35 fighters at the Estonian base in Ämari, radar reconnaissance aircraft, and a Samp-T missile system—our country may increase its military effort. Two new fighters will be deployed, likely F-35s, as an alternative to the Eurofighters. Furthermore, the deployment period of the Samp-T air defense system, already deployed in Estonia, will be extended. Just as the CAEW jet radar, important for air surveillance, will remain operational longer than expected.

Although not yet formalized in detail with the Atlantic Alliance, the decision to participate in the operation was anticipated by some government officials to Corriere and Repubblica. The Meloni government considers it an almost obligatory move on a military, political and diplomatic level: the adhesion of Germany, France and Great Britain to the operation has put pressure on the executive, which is playing a leading diplomatic role in supporting Kiev.

While France is already transferring its Rafale fighters to Poland, Italy is evaluating deployment options. The preferred solution for the two additional fighters remains the F-35s in Estonia. However, the possibility of participating in a joint squadron with the Germans and the British is also being considered, using Eurofighters that would take off from a Polish base near the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad, the most sensitive point in the area.

Since this involves strengthening a NATO mission already authorized, the executive may not have to pass through Parliament for this operation. However, completely bypassing the Chambers could create political tensions: an expansion of the military commitment, in addition to having to deal with available financial resources, will also have to face potential opposition from part of the majority, primarily the League.

The first statements in this sense came from the leader of the Northern League group in the Senate, Massimiliano Romeo: “We have said several times that, from our point of view, defense and defense spending should be concentrated on the southern flank of the Atlantic alliance, where Italian strategic interests lie: ports, airports, submarine cables, oil and gas pipelines, with a very strong focus on the fight against terrorism and immigration. This is where we should concentrate our efforts, where immigration is used as a hybrid weapon against Europe.” “Naturally,” he added, “we must keep in mind support for Ukraine, which is absolutely fundamental.” Romeo recalled Meloni’s commitment, “she guaranteed that no soldiers will be sent,” and this “is positive, it’s good that she listened to us.” Regarding the dispatch of fighter jets, he replies: “We remain of the opinion that all efforts should be concentrated on making diplomacy work: this is the objective we set ourselves at all costs to support Trump’s attempt to achieve peace.”