Mogadishu (KAAB TV) – Italy and Somalia have forged a strengthened military partnership in recent months, spanning high‑level visits, joint training, infrastructure investment and weapons delivery, as both nations work toward boosting Somalia’s national security and regional stability.
Strategic Engagement & High‑Level Diplomacy
On 29 May 2025, General Luciano Portolano, the Italian Chief of Defence, arrived in Mogadishu for high‑level security talks with Somali military leadership. Their discussions centered on expanding training programmes, intelligence-sharing, and counter-terror cooperation against al‑Shabaab.
Earlier, in February 2025, Somali National Army Commander Major General Odawa Yusuf Rage met with Italy’s Defence Attaché, Captain Mario De Rosa, to plan future joint efforts, particularly in military infrastructure, strategic planning and capacity building.
Capacity Building & Civil‑Military Projects
Italy’s EUTM‑Somalia and its CIMIC cell have been instrumental in Somalia’s recovery process. Civil‑military projects by Italian forces in Banadir and Mogadishu include humanitarian aid delivery, vocational training (e.g., fish‑processing courses), and facility upgrades in districts such as Wadajiir, Xamar Jajab and Hawl Wadag.
Major Hardware Transfer — Helicopters Strengthen Air Mobility
In mid‑2025, Somalia took delivery of six Bell 412 helicopters, four of them from Italy and two additional variants in March and June as part of a military modernization push for close air support and troop mobility. This represented Somalia’s most significant post‑embargo arms acquisition.
Institutional Training – Linking Security & Governance
Meanwhile, Italy’s broader bilateral assistance includes non‑military initiatives. In July 2025, Italian‑funded “Public Administration Italy‑Somalia (Pais‑Fus)” launched a three‑year master’s programme in public administration with specializations in health and justice, aimed at training 140 civil servants and 10‑15 academics, part of €70 million total cooperation portfolio.
Historical & Strategic Continuity
Italy remains Somalia’s principal contributor to the European Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM‑S), including police training under the MIADIT programme, which has trained some 1,400 Somali police and gendarmerie personnel since 2013. This reflects the deep historic ties between the two countries rooted in post‑trusteeship era relations.
Implications & Outlook
The arrival of general‑rank delegations and aircraft deliveries signals Italy’s intent to expand its role beyond training into sustained military support.
Civil‑military cooperation projects and training initiatives reflect a whole‑of‑state approach, recognizing that security is rooted in resilient institutions.
Somalia’s leadership—especially President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud—has emphasized a desire to deepen ties with Italy as part of efforts to rebuild state capacity and national security.
Italy’s support now spans:pilot and troop mobility (helicopters), civil‑military aid (via CIMIC), defence training (EUTM‑S/MIADIT), strategic security coordination (Italy visits) and civilian governance training.
Somalia benefits through enhanced capacity to assume full security responsibilities—including civilian‑military services in areas recently recaptured from militants.
Looking ahead, both sides are expected to announce new agreements and infrastructure plans, potentially including joint training centers and expanded intelligence cooperation to sustain progress in stabilising Somalia.
As Somalia transitions control of security to its own forces, Italy’s multi-faceted support signals a long-term commitment.