In a bold political manoeuvre, Italy’s government is pushing for a €13.5 billion bridge connecting the mainland to Sicily to be classified as a NATO-related infrastructure project, potentially helping the country meet new defence spending targets.
With NATO urging member states to allocate 5% of GDP to military expenditure by 2035, Italy faces a steep climb. The nation currently lags behind, spending just 1.49% of its GDP on defence last year. The proposed bridge might just be the creative solution the government needs.
A Bridge with Strategic Ambitions
The vision for the bridge is nothing new. Spanning the Strait of Messina, it would be the world’s longest suspension bridge—a long-held dream from ancient Roman times to modern leaders like Mussolini and Berlusconi.
Now, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, particularly Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, are reinvigorating the idea – but with a twist.
They’re framing it as a project of strategic military value rather than a solely civilian endeavour. This notion was reinforced in a government report released in April.
A senior government source noted that while no official decision has been taken, discussions are ongoing to evaluate whether such a reclassification is feasible. It could prove politically advantageous for Meloni, especially amid rising austerity and growing public reluctance towards increasing military expenditure.
Defence Spending by Design
Under NATO guidelines, only 3.5% of GDP must go directly to defence; the remaining 1.5% can be channelled into strategic infrastructure. This opens the door for projects like the bridge to qualify.
An official from the Treasury suggested that framing the bridge as a defence initiative could help bypass historical barriers, including funding issues, engineering challenges in a seismic zone, and resistance from local authorities.
“The new designation would override bureaucratic obstacles, litigation with local authorities that could challenge the government in court claiming that the bridge will damage disproportionately their land,” the Treasury official said. It would also “facilitate raising money, especially in the next year, for the bridge.”
From Public Interest to Security Imperative
In April, Rome declared the bridge essential for “imperative reasons of overriding public interest.”
Beyond civilian use, “the bridge over the Strait of Messina also has strategic importance for national and international security, so much so that it will play a key role in defence and security, facilitating the movement of Italian armed forces and NATO allies,” according to the same government document.
Italy has also petitioned for the bridge to be included in the EU’s military mobility financing plan, suggesting it would enhance troop and equipment transfer from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean.
“The bridge represents an advantage for military mobility, enabling the rapid transport of heavy vehicles, troops, and resources both by road and rail,” the government argued.
NATO Reaction Uncertain
However, questions remain. The Strait of Messina does not fall within NATO’s officially recognised military mobility corridors. These currently run from Puglia across the Adriatic to the Balkans. Sources suggest it’s also not part of the EU’s strategic military network.
At a recent NATO summit in The Hague, US officials reportedly chuckled when asked about the bridge, offering no formal comment.
Tajani remains a vocal proponent. “We will make Italians understand that security is a broader concept than just tanks,” he said.
“To achieve this, we will focus on infrastructure that also has civilian uses, such as the bridge over the Strait [of Messina], which falls within the concept of defence given that Sicily is a NATO platform,” he added.
Salvini, too, backs the project, seeing it as a means to transform his far-right League party into a national force with influence in southern Italy.
“Of course,” he replied when asked if the bridge could contribute to meeting NATO’s goal.
“Infrastructure is also strategic from a security perspective in many ways, so if we invest more in security, some strategic infrastructure will also become part of this security plan.”
According to insiders, Salvini is pushing hard for fast-tracked approvals to show tangible progress.
Critics remain sceptical. Opposition figures argue the project is a diversion and a misuse of defence classification.
“This is a mockery of the citizens and of the commitments made at NATO. I doubt that this bluff by the government will be accepted,” said Giuseppe Antoci, MEP from the 5-Star Movement.
He continued, “The government should stop and avoid making an international fool of itself, which would cover Italy in ridicule.”
Detractors also question the logic of linking two underdeveloped regions lacking even basic transport and healthcare infrastructure.
“The population of Sicily and Calabria suffers from inadequate water infrastructure, snail-paced transport, potholed roads, and third-world hospitals. The bridge over the strait, therefore, cannot be a priority,” Antoci stated.
Still, the ruling coalition is undeterred. Salvini announced that final authorisation for the project could be granted as early as July.
In a symbolic gesture, Tajani has proposed naming the bridge after Berlusconi—a leader as controversial as he was charismatic.
