Italian senators have tabled a series of sweeping amendments to a defense framework bill, proposing restrictions on autonomous weapons, mandatory industrial reconversion quotas, and an expansion of military recruitment eligibility to include individuals with celiac disease.
Senators Propose Banning Autonomous Weapons Systems
Three Italian senators have submitted a formal proposal demanding the total exclusion of autonomous weapon systems capable of selecting and engaging targets without significant, effective, and verifiable human control. Under the text of the amendment, every new procurement program for weapons or dual-use technologies must also receive a binding opinion from competent parliamentary committees, requiring a two-thirds majority vote among members to ensure transparency in national defense spending.
The same amendment mandates that at least 15 percent of total funds allocated for defense research and technological development must go toward industrial reconversion projects aimed at civilian purposes. These resources would also fund the ecological transition of decommissioned military industrial sites.
Military Personnel Could Train Civil Protection Service
Senators Zedda and Barcaiuolo of Fratelli d’Italia have proposed that armed forces personnel—specifically units with specialized technical and professional qualifications—should actively participate in training and professional development programs for the National Civil Protection Service. The framework for this collaboration would be established through formal agreements between the Ministry of Defense and the public administrations involved.
Separately, senators Murelli, Spelgatti, Dreosto, and Pucciarelli of Lega Salvini Premier and Partito Sardo d’Azione introduced measures addressing military and public service eligibility. Their proposal states that celiac disease, in the absence of severe clinical complications or symptoms, should no longer disqualify candidates from military service, the State Police, local police, fire departments, or civil protection roles, including recruitment into the Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza.
Lega Delegation Calls for National Aerospace Hub
The same Lega delegation also called for the establishment of a national aerospace hub located in Tuscany utilizing existing Italian Air Force infrastructure. Meanwhile, senators Bruno Marton and Ettore Antonio Licheri of the Five Star Movement proposed legal assistance and state protection for military personnel facing civil litigation or compensation claims resulting from operational duties carried out in Italy and abroad, such as territorial patrols, armed security details, and logistical transport.
On labor rights, senators Alfieri, Delrio, and La Marca of the Democratic Party submitted provisions to guarantee uninterrupted pension and social security coverage for military personnel during periods of union leave or authorized absence. The proposal allows military professional associations to cover additional contribution costs voluntarily, with the consent of the individual, to offset any pension shortfalls during union assignments.
Worth a look
