Pakistan Concerned Over Strained Defence Ties with Italy Amid Meloni Government’s Policies

Islamabad – Pakistan is increasingly concerned that its defense ties with Italy are being adversely affected under the right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Reports indicate that key defense projects between the two nations, particularly the Pakistan Navy’s Embraer Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) program, have faced significant delays.

Italy has traditionally been an important defense partner for Pakistan, ranking as the third-largest arms exporter to the country after China and Turkey. However, since Meloni’s government took office, Islamabad has observed a slowdown in defense cooperation, raising worries within Pakistan’s military and strategic circles.

Delays in Embraer MPA Project

One of the most pressing issues for Pakistan is the continuous delay in the Embraer Maritime Patrol Aircraft project. The Pakistan Navy had been working on procuring advanced MPAs based on the Embraer Lineage 1000 jet, which was to be modified with sophisticated surveillance and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in collaboration with an Italian defense contractor.

These aircraft were expected to significantly enhance the Pakistan Navy’s maritime surveillance, particularly in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, where the country has been increasing its naval operations. However, Italian authorities have reportedly been slow in approving the project, leading to suspicions that political considerations may be influencing defense ties.

Geopolitical Factors Impacting Defense Relations

Under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy has aligned more closely with Western powers, particularly the United States and NATO, both of which maintain a complex relationship with Pakistan, especially regarding its historical ties with China. As Italy strengthens its defense cooperation with India—Pakistan’s regional rival—it appears increasingly cautious about supplying high-end military equipment to Islamabad.

Another factor potentially affecting Italian-Pakistani defense relations is concern over China’s growing defense footprint in Pakistan. Italy, like several Western nations, has reservations about Pakistan’s deepening military cooperation with Beijing, particularly in areas such as fighter jets, naval ships, and missile systems. This concern may be influencing Rome’s decision to take a more restrained approach in dealing with Islamabad.

Pakistan’s Heavy Reliance on Italian Defense Equipment

Despite these tensions, Italy remains a key defense supplier to Pakistan. It is the third-largest arms exporter to Pakistan after China and Turkey, supplying a range of military hardware, including:

• AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, used by Pakistan’s military for transport and search-and-rescue missions.
• Leonardo radars and avionics, which are integrated into various Pakistani military platforms.
• Naval equipment, including technology for submarines and patrol vessels.

The current slowdown in defense transactions has raised concerns within Pakistan’s military establishment about the reliability of Italy as a long-term defense partner.

Future of Italy-Pakistan Defense Ties

While Italy has not officially announced any policy shifts regarding Pakistan, the continued delays in critical defense programs suggest a change in approach. If the Embraer MPA project continues to face obstacles, Pakistan may be forced to look for alternatives, possibly turning to China, Turkey, or Brazil for similar aircraft solutions.

Additionally, any further restrictions on defense cooperation could push Pakistan to reassess its overall strategic ties with Italy. If tensions persist, Pakistan may redirect its procurement efforts toward non-European suppliers that are less likely to be influenced by Western geopolitical pressures.

Conclusion

Pakistan’s concerns over deteriorating defense ties with Italy highlight the broader geopolitical shifts affecting global arms trade. With Italy moving closer to Western strategic priorities, Pakistan may find itself increasingly reliant on China and Turkey for military hardware. How this situation unfolds will depend on future diplomatic engagements between Islamabad and Rome, but for now, Pakistan’s military planners are closely watching Italy’s actions with growing unease.