🇮🇹 Italy Military Strength 2026
Italy ranks #16 of 180 in the ArmySimulator Power Index for 2026, making it a significant regional military power. Its armed forces field 160,400 active personnel plus 14,500 in reserve. The defense budget stands at $38.0 billion (2024), about 1.6% of GDP.
▶ Open Italy in the simulator
Personnel & budget
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Active military personnel | 160,400 | #33 |
| Reserve personnel | 14,500 | |
| Paramilitary forces | 179,250 | |
| Defense budget (2024) | $38.0 billion | #14 |
| Budget share of GDP | 1.61% | |
| Population | 58.9M | |
Land forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Main battle tanks | 200 | #58 |
| Attack helicopters | 36 | |
Air power
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Combat aircraft | 221 | #18 |
| Military satellites | 9 | |
Naval forces
| Indicator | Value | Rank |
|---|
| Aircraft carriers | 2 | |
| Cruisers | 0 | |
| Destroyers | 4 | |
| Frigates | 12 | |
| Corvettes | 0 | |
| Amphibious warfare ships | 3 | |
| Nuclear submarines | 0 | |
| Conventional submarines | 8 | |
| Navy VLS missile cells | 304 | |
| Fleet strength score | 78 | #12 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Data years vary by indicator (latest available, 2023–2026). See methodology and sources.