Italy: Military Alliances

As noted in the Strategic Defence Review, Italy remains one of our most critical partners in Europe. Through annual 2+2 meetings between our Foreign and Defence Secretaries, our bilateral High-Level Military Dialogue, and regular interaction through other groupings such as NATO and the E5 Defence Ministers' Group, we continuously explore how our nations can better work together to address issues of shared strategic interest.

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is at the forefront of our deepening relationship. Since the Strategic Defence Review, we have made significant progress, including the opening of the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) headquarters and the establishment of the Industrial Joint Venture, Edgewing. This year we awarded the first international contract for £4.6bn to deliver the next phase of joint development.

Since signing a UK-Italy Statement of Intent on Complex Weapons in February 2025, there has been tangible progress in this area of our relationship. This includes on the STRATUS low-observable long range cruise missile and on the development of next generation air-to-air missiles. As members of the E5, the UK and Italy have also launched the Low-cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) initiative to provide the necessary capability to Ukraine.

Operationally, as the only two European nations with carrier-capable F-35B aircraft, last year's UK's Carrier Strike Group deployment (Op HIGHMAST) saw extensive joint exercising designed to deepen the interoperability between our Armed Forces.