The multi-year program in question (A.G. 31), called “Tactical means”, is related to the renewal and maintenance of the Reconnaissance Car (AR) and the Multirole Vehicle (VM) of the Italian Army, tactical means suitable for use in the whole spectrum of assigned missions and specifically: – on the national territory, to support training, training and garrison activities; – in all operational contexts of use, for Command and Control activities (C2), linkage, control of the territory and reconnaissance of routes. The objectives of the program concern: the renewal of the fleets related to Reconnaissance Cars and Multirole Vehicles, considering that the vehicles currently in inventory were largely acquired at the end of the 90s; the continuation of the acquisition program, giving priority to vehicles subjected to greater wear as they are used continuously in operations on the national territory, such as the “Safe Roads” Operation.
These vehicles must necessarily be characterized by simplicity of construction, robustness, durability and reliability in the various situations of use envisaged. In particular: – for reconnaissance vehicles (AR), it is desirable to supply vehicles similar to those already acquired under the SMD 24/2019 program, set up on a JEEP basis Operational purpose Technical characteristics 2 Wrangler (FCA group), for which the military homologation plan has been launched (which allows their use in the operational environment and also for missions abroad). The illustrative sheet specifies that procurement will be used directly from the free market, identifying platforms characterized by high mobility on all terrains, low purchase and management costs and a widespread assistance network throughout the country; – for multi-role vehicles (VMs), components of normal production must be used, easily and continuously available throughout the entire life cycle of the vehicles. It is also essential that the manufacturing company is able to ensure adequate technical assistance on the national and European territory, guaranteeing adequate supplies of spare parts.
As far as relations with industry are concerned, the industrial sectors concerned are mainly those of the automotive and mechanical engineering industries. All related companies related to transport, traffic and high technology will also be involved. The supplier industry will be defined at the time of the tender or at the end of the technical-administrative procedure adopted by the contracting authority. However, the General Staff of Defense reports that, from preliminary investigations conducted by the competent Technical Directorate, the particular interest of the National industry already operating in the Defense sector (TEKNE Sr.l., with operational headquarters in Ortona (Chieti) and IVECO Defence Vehicles S.p.A. with headquarters in Bolzano) has been found.
With regard to reconnaissance vehicles (AR), the acquisitions currently underway under the aforementioned SMD Decree 24/2019, are based on the Jeep Wrangler vehicle (FCA group). As regards duration, the Tactical Means programme is designed according to a multiannual development plan scheduled to start in 2023 and last a total of ten years (2023-2032). The draft decree in question, as specified in the technical sheet, relates to the second phase and the subsequent completion of the program. This phase, implemented independently and independently from the others, will guarantee the renewal and maintenance of the current fleet of reconnaissance vehicles (AR) and multirole vehicles (VM) through the procurement of technologically advanced vehicles able to combine high performance with greater personnel safety, as well as an update for environmental sustainability aspects.
The second phase of the programme also includes the development, approval and acquisition of the new Multi-role Vehicle. With regard to the financial profiles, in the introduction of the act in question it is specified that the phase of the company covered by this decree, which provides for a total charge of 1,103.6 million euros, will be financed for an amount equal to 150.90 million euros on the appropriations deriving from the investment fund referred to in Article 1), paragraph 45, of the law of 30 December 2018, n. 145 (Budget Law 2019). It is also specified that the completion of the same program will subsequently be the subject of one or more draft decrees, to be submitted to the examination of the Chambers, once the necessary financial resources have been found, in order to allow the verification in Parliament of the relative coverage. In the text of the measure, precisely in point 5) of the technical sheet, it is highlighted, however, that the overall forecast burden of the program, already started with the aforementioned Logistical support Interoperability and standardization Relations with industry International cooperation and export Duration and cost of the program 3 decree nr. SMD 24/2019, is estimated at approximately € 1,181.00 million, of which: – € 77.40 million, already authorized with the SMD Decree 24/2019, for the first phase of the company, fully financed; – €1,103.6 million, for the second phase, financed for €150.9 million from the appropriations deriving from chapters of the investment sector of the ordinary budget of the Ministry of Defence within the resources available under current legislation. The technical data sheet also specifies that the completion of the program, for the remaining total forecast value of € 952.7 million, will be achieved through subsequent measures which, as noted in the premises of the draft decree, will subsequently be submitted to parliamentary opinion. The technical sheet specifies, therefore, that these interventions may be contracted subject to their possible refinancing. With regard to the cost of the program, the technical sheet underlines that the Administration considers itself bound not to exceed what is submitted to the opinion of the parliamentary committees and that where, in the course of work, the technical-administrative study should define the need to exceed this spending limit, a supplementary decree will be launched, with a similar procedure.
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