The event was held on April 29th at the Casa dell’Aviatore in Rome “The New Maintenance Policy AM – Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World”, an important opportunity for discussion among Armed Forces experts, representatives from industry and academia on the future of the Air Force's logistical and maintenance support.
Developed by the 2nd Division of Logistic Command with the active contribution of all components of the Armed Forces, approved by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Antonio Conserva, On 13 January, with Directive SMA-USSMA-005, the new maintenance policy for the Air Force's aerial weapon systems, avionics, and armament responds to the pressing need to adapt the Armed Force to the profound changes that have affected the global geostrategic and security context in recent decades. The initiative confirmed and placed at the centre this now shared awareness: in an increasingly unstable international scenario, the operational capability of the Armed Forces depends to an ever-greater extent on the robustness of support systems, the availability of advanced technical skills, and the resilience of supply chains.
At the event, there was the Undersecretary of State for Defence, the Hon. Matteo Perego di Cremnago, who in his speech wanted to highlight how “Maintenance, in the context of the Air Force, and more generally of the Armed Forces, is no longer just an enabler, but a true force multiplier.” “We are living in a historic era that requires the implementation of new logic that adapts to the complexity and rapid changes in the scenarios in which the Armed Forces operate.”, has stressed the Undersecretary Perego, highlighting how these moments of confrontation represent “an authentic think tank necessary to raise awareness on issues that are often underestimated but are central to Defence.”. The Undersecretary highlighted the need to invest in national capabilities, preserve know-how and strengthen industrial supply chains, in order to ensure the operational flexibility of assets, to contribute to deterrence and the protection of national and European interests, considering that “The effectiveness of systems no longer depends solely on performance, but on the ability to ensure availability, resilience, and sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle, even in high-intensity scenarios.” A relevant passage was also dedicated to the role of emerging technologies and digital innovation. “Digital transformation is no longer an opportunity, but a necessity”, said Perego, highlighting how “Advanced tools, from data analysis to artificial intelligence, including the digital twin, will allow us to evolve towards predictive and proactive models, with significant benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, and decision-making speed. It is on this ability to evolve, innovate, and form a system that our future effectiveness will be measured., concluded the Undersecretary, reiterating the central value of human capital, consisting of “extraordinary women and men who, with professionalism and dedication, work daily for the defence and security of the Nation, and towards whom it is fitting to express a deep sense of gratitude.”
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Antonio Conserva, in his welcoming address, he also wanted to highlight that “The projection of air power beyond national borders today requires absolute operational continuity, even in the most hostile and uncertain contexts. Maintenance is no longer a support function, but a strategic asset and a force multiplier: our defence capability is measured by the immediate and resilient availability of weapon systems. With the new Directive, we are profoundly rethinking logistical support to overcome compartmentalised approaches and build an integrated, resilient, and innovative ecosystem. In this context, collaboration with industry and the world of research represents a strategic investment in the future, indispensable for guaranteeing rapid responses to operational challenges and protecting our technological autonomy from any disruption to global supply chains.”
Following an introductory intervention by Air Force Logistic Commander, Gen. S.A. Achille Fernando Cazzaniga, which summarised the context in which the maintenance policy operates, the Commander of the 2nd Logistic Command Division, Brig. Gen. Roberto Lo Conte, he illustrated the principles and criteria underpinning the new maintenance policy, as well as the main changes they will bring about at an organisational level and in relations with industry.
The strategic challenges of the sector were addressed through three round table discussions which featured distinguished speakers from industry and academia.
From the first round table “Sovereignty and interdependence in an increasingly polarised world” The need to reduce critical dependencies has strongly emerged, ensuring control over supply chains and the availability of technical-engineering know-how and qualified personnel. In a more conflict-ridden world, logistical resilience becomes a determining factor in operational capability.
The second roundtable “Support for airborne weapon systems and their armaments: evolution, challenges and opportunities” It highlighted that support for weapon systems must evolve towards increasingly integrated and collaborative models, based on close synergy between the Armed Force, major industrial integrators, and SMEs. In this context, contractual models represent a fundamental lever for enabling new forms of cooperation and ensuring adequate levels of availability, quality, and sustainability of support, within the relevant regulatory framework.
The third round table “EDTs, innovation, and organisational transformation” It has highlighted the enabling role of emerging and disruptive technologies. EDTs are not an option, but a necessity to tackle current and future complexity. However, technological transformation must proceed in parallel with organisational transformation, while at the same time preserving sovereignty over data and information infrastructures.
In his concluding remarks at the end of the proceedings, the Logistics Commander underlined how “The new maintenance policy is set up as a true transformation roadmap, which requires strategic vision, coherent action, and, above all, a strong capacity for system integration. Today's discussion has shown that there is a large, competent, and cohesive community ready to contribute to this path. It is up to us to capitalise on this wealth of ideas, skills, and relationships to translate it into concrete capabilities.”
