The inauguration ceremony of Admiral Giacinto Ottaviani as the National Director of Armaments took place this morning at Palazzo Guidoni. Present at the ceremony were Defense Minister Hon. Guido Crosetto, accompanied by the Italian Chief of Defense, General Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense, Advisor Fabio Mattei, and Vice National Director of Armaments, Dr. Luisa Riccardi.
‘_It is time for change. Defense and the Defense industry must accelerate radically. Technological innovation, productive capacity, and administrative agility must become pillars of the national strategy. We live in difficult times, requiring strong responses. Europe needs a strong Italy. And we must do our part, fearlessly. Our industry is strong, our expertise is recognized. We just need to believe in ourselves and work together, united_’ said Minister Crosetto, who added,’_The National Armaments Directorate must become a place known for its strategic thinking and technology. With the separation of the Defense General Secretariat and the National Armaments Directorate, a new phase has begun. The objective is to strengthen governance, accelerate decision-making processes, and ensure integrated resource and program management_.’
In his speech, Minister Crosetto explained that Admiral Ottaviani is the first to hold this position in the new organizational structure:’_his appointment as the National Director of Armaments comes at a crucial time, when Italy needs a credible defense, fully integrated into the NATO system, capable of contributing decisively to the construction of a genuine European security pillar. Special thanks to Dr. Riccardi, who has worked during this period with competence, dedication, and professionalism. On behalf of myself, the government, and the entire Ministry, I wish Admiral Ottaviani all the best in his work_’, he concluded.
The event at Palazzo Guidoni opened with a statement by Admiral Ottaviani, who pointed out,’_Italy is one of the few countries in the world to have a sector industry, an essential part of the system of the country for its multiplier effects in terms of economic, technological and employment growth, and that ensures – at the same time – the necessary strategic autonomy for the country_’ he then concluded – ‘_As National Director of Armaments, my commitment will be to to strengthen relationships with institutional bodies, to promote increasingly effective interactions with the industrial sector, to implement national and international programs, all within a synergistic framework of cooperation, in which the search for the best results will be achieved while respecting roles and skills and in the pursuit of the best balances, but always putting the good of the Defense and the Country System at the center of my action, in the wake of what has been done by my predecessors_’.
The ceremony was preceded by the new National Director of Armaments paying tribute to fallen soldiers at the Altar of the Fatherland with the laying of a laurel wreath at the Unknown Soldier’s Shrine. The day saw the participation of numerous political, civil, and military authorities, as well as influential figures from the political, industrial, and academic world.
Source and photo credit @National Armament Directorate
