The visit of the general secretary of defense and national director of armaments, general of the army corps Luciano Portolano, to the 54th IInternational Paris Air Show (SIAE2023) in Paris was the occasion to meet the General Delegate of the French Directorate General for Armaments, Army Corps General Thierry Carlier, and jointly sign both the Roadmap capabilitiespertaining to the procurement and the identification of possible cooperation programs between the parties, which the Memorandum of Understanding related to Mid-Life Upgrade of class naval units Horizon, which provides for their modernization by the Join Ventures NAVIRIS.
The activities are descended from Treaty of the Quirinale, signed in Naples in February 2020 between the Italian prime minister and the French president, which identifies possible cooperation programs between the parties to intensify dialogue in the technical and operational sectors of defense and develop cooperation in the field of capability enhancement of common interest. Furthermore, it also foresees the commitment to strengthen cooperation between the respective defense and security industries, promoting structural alliances, and strengthening collaboration in the space sector, in order to improve the ability to operate jointly in space.
The bilateral meeting, held in an atmosphere of cordiality and great friendship, made it possible not only to consolidate the excellent relations inherent in bilateral cooperation with France in the specific procurement sector, but also to give greater impetus to the technological and industrial capabilities strategic for both countries through participation in international development programs.
