During the recent state visit to Rome by UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Italy and the United Arab Emirates solidified their bilateral relations by signing key agreements across multiple sectors including cybersecurity, energy, and advanced technology. This visit marked the first-ever state visit of a UAE president to Italy, highlighting its significance.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the $40 billion deal as "one of the largest foreign investments in Italy’s history," emphasizing the investments would venture deeply not just in conventional sectors but also energy, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and defence. Meloni described this moment as historic, stating, "We often use the word ‘historic’ too lightly, but today, it is truly appropriate." She observed this summit was pivotal as it opens up avenues for unprecedented strategic and economic cooperation.
The defence sector played a major role during the agreements' signing, underscoring its strategic importance to Italy-UAE relations. Notably, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto welcomed Sheikh Mohammed at Fiumicino Airport and signed a comprehensive defence cooperation agreement with the UAE. "This agreement is a concrete step to intensify our collaboration with the UAE, a country bound to us not only by strong friendship but also by shared commitment to global stability and security," Crosetto stated. He stressed the significance of this accord, marking the beginning of strategic partnerships for Italy’s defence industry within the Gulf region.
Most remarkably, the recent partnerships have expanded to include the underwater defence sector. Following prior agreements, Fincantieri has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Emirati conglomerate Edge Group to bolster cooperation in this area. Through their joint venture, Maestral, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, the companies will work together to design and develop unmanned systems. Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero highlighted the underwater defence market's potential, stating it could reach $400 billion by 2030, emphasizing this requires "a geopolitical vision—a vision fostering strategic agreements to create a unified bloc."
Italy's focus on underwater capabilities emphasizes protecting key subsea infrastructure, which is increasingly seen as important for global security amid rising geopolitical tensions. Italy's commitment includes setting up the Polo Nazionale per la Subacquea, with aims to lead advancements in underwater technology and research.
Space exploration also forms part of this renewed partnership. The Italian Space Agency has entered two Memorandums of Understanding with the UAE Space Agency and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, focusing on significant lunar and asteroid missions, including the Rashid Rover 3 and Emirates Mission to Asteroids. Italy's contributions will include advanced technology and scientific support—a collaboration breathing life to ambitious targets on the lunar surface and beyond.
Cybersecurity is another cornerstone of the developing relationship between these nations. Recently, Electronic defence domains were bolstered through agreements between ELT Group and Edge Group, allowing for advancements aimed at addressing modern security threats. CEO Enzo Benigni remarked, "These agreements solidify an already strong partnership and create opportunities for joint growth."
The comprehensive $40 billion investment plan signifies Italy's growing economic ties with the UAE, which has rapidly become Italy’s top non-oil trading partner within Europe. This relationship was also underpinned by the involvement of key Italian corporations, including energy group Enel, shipbuilder Fincantieri, and financial giant Intesa Sanpaolo, all integral to these agreements.
UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, reiterated Italy's strategic importance for the UAE, evident from the latest trade data. Notably, the Italian administration has increasingly tempered previous restrictions on arms sales to Gulf nations, focusing instead on fostering stronger ties even as opponents point to the UAE’s human rights records.
Opponents of the Meloni administration have expressed concerns over her growing ties with the UAE—citing potential ethical dilemmas related to human rights issues. Previously, Italy's arms sales to the UAE and Saudi Arabia had been under embargo due to the conflict in Yemen; the lifting of such restrictions marks a significant pivot since Meloni's rise to power.
The synergy between Italy and the UAE echoes within broader geopolitical shifts, showcasing Italy as a pivotal player within Gulf cooperation on defence, space, and cybersecurity. Recent agreements, including those with Leonardo and Edge for naval sector collaboration, highlight the increasing strategic importance of technological and defense collaboration amid global instability.
Overall, as these ties strengthen, the UAE-Italy partnership signals a new chapter of collaboration, innovation, and potentially contentious reflections on global governance amid rapid changes on the international stage.