Government, Defense

The armed forces of Italy have been greatly expanded since the country joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949. In 2001 the Italian permanent armed forces totaled 230,350 people, with an army of 137,000, a navy of 38,000, an air force of 55,350, and a central staff. Compulsory military service for men extends for ten months. Italy will phase out peacetime conscription by 2003, opening the way for the creation of a voluntary military force.