Italy has come under criticism for mulling a proposal to classify the €13.5 billion bridge linking the mainland to Sicily as a defence project in order to bolster its NATO spending figures.
Critics argue that the plan is an attempt by Rome to artificially inflate its contributions rather than increase genuine military capacity.
More than 600 professors, researchers, and university staff sent a letter earlier this month to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying the bridge was “not designed and was never intended to be a military or dual-use” project, and that railway networks in southern Italy are not suited to transporting arms and ammunition.
However, state owned company Stretto di Messina, which holds the concession to design, build, and operate the bridge, pushed back, saying: “The Messina Strait Bridge project was developed from the outset to meet both civil traffic needs and the strategic mobility requirements of the Armed Forces.”
The company added that the current design accommodates heavy military vehicles—such as tanks—“without requiring structural adjustments.”
Italy last year spent only about 1.49% of GDP on defence, which will rise to 2% this year, but the country is still far below NATO’s new commitment of 5% by 2035. While 3.5% must go toward core military expenditures, up to 1.5% may cover strategic infrastructure and broader defence resilience.
Supporters argue that including the bridge under this category could help bridge the funding gap without diverting funds from social programs.
Infrastructure Minister Matteo Salvini confirmed that the body responsible for approving major projects is expected to sign off on the bridge by late July.
