Italian Army improves infantry equipment, restructures units

Beretta's Benelli A.I. Drone Guardian 12-gauge self-loading C-UAS shotgun, seen at the EnforceTac exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany, in February 2026. The weapon is part of the Italian army's new lethality package. (Janes/Amael Kotlarski)

The Italian Army is upgrading soldier equipment and reorganising light infantry units to adapt to modern land warfare. Speaking at the 2026 SAE Media Group Future Soldier Technology conference, held in London in March under the Chatham House Rule, an Italian Army official said the priority is maintaining the dismounted soldier's role as the centre of gravity against threats such as uncrewed systems (UxS).

Italian Army analysis referred to by the official suggests the battlefield is now so “transparent” that soldiers must manage electronic emissions as strictly as they do physical concealment. Increased threats also require protection beyond standard body armour. The proliferation of UxS has extended the battlespace, introducing a forward line of own sensors (FLOS) and a forward line of own robots (FLOR) ahead of a force's troops. Consequently, soldiers are moving from being equipment users to technology coordinators.

The official said that the Italian Army's Individual Combat System (ICS), comprising over 60 components, uses off-the-shelf solutions and rapid testing. The army aims to equip two light infantry brigades by the end of 2026. He added that a third brigade may follow under a separate procurement spiral.

The programme rests on three pillars—lethality, mobility, and protection—to improve effectiveness while reducing physical and mental load. These operate within a “combat dome” including a new battle management system, a combat network, and cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA).