Ministry of Defense: Italy will need 8 to 10 years to strengthen its defense capabilities

Italy will need 8-10 years to implement plans to strengthen its defense capabilities, country's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in an interview with La Repubblica.

"This plan [to strengthen national security] will require 8 to 10 years to achieve a defense capability that meets the challenges of the times," he stated.

The minister highlighted cyber threats as one of the challenges to Italy's security, with specific measures including infrastructure development and increasing the size of the armed forces.

Furthermore, Crosetto acknowledged that the presence of US troops in Europe may decrease, and that NATO countries will be required to increase their defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.