Italian defense export in 2019, decrease continues
The italian export in defense sector continues to decrease and is almost a third from 2016.
The most valuable contract in 2019 was signed with Egypt, 871 million of euro, for the delivery of 32 helicopters (24 AW149 and 8 AW189).
In 2019 the overall value of authorizations of armament was valued 5,174 billion of euro, showing a decrease of 1,38% compared to 2018 and is almost the half from 2017.
The number of countries receiving export licenses is 2019 was 84.
Export
The 37,3% of the total value of authorizations was directed to UE/NATO countries and the remaining 62,7% towards no UE/NATO states.
The top five exporting companies were Leonardo S.p.A (58,06%), Elettronica S.p.A (5,51%), Calzoni R.r.L (4,35%), Orizzonte Sistemi Navali S.p.A (4,22%) and IVECO Defense Vehicle S.p.A (4,14%).
Ranking – Export
| Position (var from 2018) | Country | Value (million of euro) |
| 1 (-9) | Egypt | 871,7 |
| 2 (no auth in 2018) | Turkmenistan | 446,1 |
| 3 (-6) | United Kingdom | 419,1 |
| 4 (-2) | United States | 306,1 |
| 5 (-2) | France | 274,2 |
| 6 (-8) | Australia | 238,2 |
| 7 (+2) | Germany | 213,6 |
| 8 (-43) | Algeria | 172,7 |
| 9 (-2) | South Korea | 165,5 |
| 10 (-20) | Brazil | 146,1 |
| 11 (-16) | Saudi Arabia | 105,4 |
| 12 (+8) | United Arab Emirates | 89,9 |
| 13 (+5) | Spain | 65,1 |
| 14 (+11) | Turkey | 63,7 |
| 15 (-55) | Malta | 50,8 |
| 16 (-15) | Thailandia | 43,4 |
Quick Facts 2019
- The export decreased by 1,28% and is almost a third from 2016;
- The first exporting company was Leonardo S.p.A
- Turkmenistan, second in the ranking, had not received any authorization in 2018;
- United Kingdom is the first NATO country by export;
- The biggest contract for the Italian defense sector was signed by Leonardo S.p.A with Egypt;
Imports
Italy imported* a total of 215 million of euro of which: 68,19% from the United States of America, 14,05% from Israel and 8,67% from Swiss.
*MAECI- UAMA only considers imports from non UE or EEA (European Economy Area) countries.
Source/Report: RELAZIONE SULLE OPERAZIONI AUTORIZZATE E SVOLTE PER IL CONTROLLO DELL’ESPORTAZIONE, IMPORTAZIONE E TRANSITO DEI MATERIALI DI ARMAMENTO (Doc. LXVII n. 3) – Presentata dal Sottosegretario di Stato alla Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri
(FRACCARO) – Comunicata alla Presidenza il 7 maggio 2020 – Senato della Repubblica
Photo: Esercito Italiano
