OPERAMAR (An InterOPERAble Approach to European Union MARitime Security Management) 
(March 2008- May 2009)
Responsibles: F.Di Camillo, JP.Darnis
Researchers: G.Gasparini, V.Miranda, M.Orzan, S.Silvestri
Partners: Thales Underwater Systems SAS (coordinator) and European industries and research centres network
Sponsor: European Commission - 6th Framework Programme
The main purpose of this research project is to propose a model of interoperability for "Pan-European Maritime Security Awareness". In particular, such a models is supposed to reduce the fragmentation characterising data management as a result of the differences existing between the organisations in charge and their procedures, both at national and European level.

Foreign investment in the emerging European security and defence market 
(January - November 2008)
Head: M. Nones 
Researchers: G.Gasparini, J.P. Darnis, F. Di Camillo, L. Marta 
Sponsor: Centro Militare di Studi Strategici - CeMiSS
The aim of the study was to analyze the risks related to the purchase by foreign investors of industries operating in the security and defence sector. The study looked into supply and product security and technology transfer processes. The study examined the experiences of some European countries (United Kingdom, France, Germany and Spain) that have implemented measures at the national level, as well as possible initiatives to undertake at the European level, assessing the features of the Italian market to be safeguarded.

Study on Suitable Governance and Data Policy models for a European Space Situational Awareness (SSA) System
(February - November 2008)
Researchers: G. Gasparini, J.P. Darnis, L. Marta
Sponsor: ESA 
The study was commissioned by the European Space Agency (ESA) from a consortium led by FRS (Fondation pour la Récherche Stratégique, Paris). The study aimed to analyse a future European Space Situational Awareness (SSA) system, that is a system for surveillance of the space environment in the terrestrial orbit. The SSA is an innovative system with strong international implications from the strategic, political, technological and industrial point of view. In particular, the project's objective was to draw up options to establish suitable governance and data policies for the information that will potentially be acquired by a future European SSA system, considering such critical issues as legal aspects and the confidentiality of the information in a cooperative European framework.

The role of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in Italy and Europe 
(December 2007-October 2008)
Head: M. Nones
Researcher: G. Gasparini
Research Assistant: A. Marrone
The research project aimed at analyzing Italy's and Europe's investment in the JSF aeronautical program, providing suggestions on how to improve the program's performance at the European level. Participation in the program and acquisition of the US multimode Joint Strike Fighter aircraft by Italy and other European countries will produce long-term strategic, operational, economic and industrial effects. Adequate knowledge of the consequences are therefore required to be able to advise political, military and industrial policymakers. The study defined some options for strengthening the program's cooperative European dimension, with particular attention to Italy. Among the reserch outlets were a volume and a conference.

BIO3R (Bio-terrorism, Research, Reaction, Resilience) 
(February 2007- July 2008)
Responsibles: F.Di Camillo, S.Silvestri; Researchers: JP.Darnis, G.Gasparini, M.Nones 
Partners: FRS (Coordinator) and consortium of European research institutes 
Sponsor: European Commission - 6th Framework Programme 
Within the framework of the European Commission's Supporting Activity for the PASR 2006 (Preparatory Action for Security Research), this programme aims to analyse operational and technological requirements in the event of bio-terrorist attacks on a European level.

Italy and the anti-ballistic missile defence programs 
(January 2008- June 2008)
Head: S. Silvestri
Researcher: G. Gasparini
The project analyzed the strategic, political, economic, technological and industrial implications of Italy's participation in the anti-ballistic missile defence programs proposed by the US and NATO. The American decision to base some components of its antimissile system on European territory opened a heated debate, especially at the political and strategic levels. NATO, for its part, is developing its own approach to the problem of area and theatre defence, to which Italy is already committed through international programs such as MEADS. The study aimed to broaden knowledge of the basic elements of the programs and Italian actors' positions on the subject, stimulating a thorough debate among the various institutional, military and industrial stakeholders.

Staccato (STAkeholders platform for supply Chain mapping, market Conditions Analysis and Technologies Opportunities)

(January 2007 - September 2008) Responsibles: JP. Darnis, G. Gasparini.  Partners: AeroSpace and Defence (ASD)  Sponsor: EC

STACCATO  - a follow up activity of SeNTRE  - was a European funded supporting activity under the Preparatory Action for Security Research (PASR).
With the view to map the competences of the supply chain and to establish a multi-sector stakeholder platform, STACCATO involved End Users, Government agencies, Think Thanks, Research Institutes, Academia and the wider industrial community, with specific attention to SMEs and competences in the new Member States.
During its lifetime , STACCATO organised a large number of workshops and meetings along several missions – both demand-driven and supply-chain driven. 

Main Conclusions and Recommendations and Executive Summary of the Final Study Report (pdf, 1227 kb)
ASD website

The cost of Non-Europe in the field of satellite based systems
(January-May 2007)
Researchers: G.Gasparini, JP.Darnis
Junior Researcher: L. Marta
The study, commissioned by the Subcommittee Security and Defence of the European Parliament to IAI and FRS (Fondation pour la recherche stratégique, Paris), aimed to analyse space capabilities and their relevance for the European Defence and Security Policy. The study, focused on earth observation and telecommunications assets, considered the problems at the base of their (non) European integration, wishing a future convergence. To this aim, the research suggested possible models of integration and elaborated recommendations for the European Parliament to contribute to this effort.
The European Parliament has published on-line the content of the hearing held in Bruxelles the 2nd of May including the papers of the researchers involved in the project. 

Summary of the public hearing:
       G.Gasparini
       JP.Darnis
Full text of study 

MEDI (Mapping of the European Defence Industry) 
(May 2006-April 2007)
Directors: M. Nones; G. Gasparini;
Junior Researcher: L. Marta
Partners: JRC (Joint Research Center)
IAI role in MEDI was to support JRC (Joint Research Center) and the EU Commission's DG Market and Enterprise in gathering data and analyses related to defence industry and budgets in Italy, within a greater European framework

La Turchia e la sicurezza europea
(October 2004-July 2006)
IAI Participants : S. Silvestri, M. Nones, G. Gasparini, IAI
This study was carried out in 2005-2006 in collaboration with the Tesev Foundation (Turkish Economic ans Social Studies Foundation) of Istanbul. It focuses on the political and military implications of admitting Turkey as an EU member in view of the threats to which Turkey is exposed and, in particular, in view of the defence risks entailed for the EU and NATO. The framework of our research was the EU's interest in increasing collaboration in the armaments sector and creating an internal defence market. Particular attention was devoted to the problem of air defence and to possible industrial collaborations in the field of aeronautics. The study highlighted the positive aspects of collaboration between Turkey and the EU whilst also underlining the problems that emerged with a view to identifying possible solutions. With this in mind, the IAI and Tesev set up two multi-disciplinary research groups that examined the problems from both angles and compared results. The study, published in 2007 within the monographs of  IAI Quaderni. English series, has been presented during an international seminar in Rome in July 2006.

Advanced Space Technologies to Support Security Operations - ASTRO+ Project
(2005-2006)
This 15-month project, coordinated by Eads Astrium in the framework of the “Preparatory Action in the field of Security Research” - Pasr 2004, shown the benefits that would derive from the use of space resources – telecommunications, land observation, navigation –  an adequate response to the EU members’ demand for security.
The aims of this project were:
- building a task force of stakeholders and users to determine the main needs to be met with space services and infrastructure;
- demonstrating the added value of certain services by means of demonstrations in the field;
- proposing short-term solutions for security needs;
- setting guidelies for the technological research.
The IAI in particular contributed to the analysis of the concepts and the demonstrations and the engagement of security users trough the organisation of meetings and seminars.
Further details

Definition of European Security Objectives – Security Network for Technological Research in Europe (SeNTRE)
(2004-2005)
A project defining the objectives and typologies of European security. in collaboration with the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), Paris, Led by the ASD (Aeronautic Space and Defence, the association bringing together European aerospace and defence industries), the IAI’s contribution involved identifying security scenarios and contacting various Italian and European institutional actors in the field of security in an attempt to work out requirements in terms of capacity and technological proposals. The project, to be undertaken before the end of 2004, will be concluded by December 2005. This is a particularly important result for the IAI in that it is the Commission’s first preparatory programme on security and is likely to lead to important developments in the subsequent framework programme. Furthermore, the IAI is involved in both projects of importance for Italy approved by the Commission.

Cooperative lessons learned and best practice in Defence Procurement
(June 2006-December 2006) 
Responsibles: G. Gasparini; IAI participants: JP Darnis; Researcher: F. Di Camillo Partners: Institut de Relations Internationales et stratégiques (IRIS, Paris) (Coordinator), Deutschen Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP, Berlin), Center for European Reform (CER, London) 
Sponsor: European Defence Agency (EDA) 
Analysis and consulting aimed at identify the industrial cooperation modalities in the defence sector EDA member States.

Research "Space and Security in Europe"
(February 2003-October 2003)
Directors: M.Nones, S.Silvestri
Researchers: J-P.Darnis, G.Gasparini
Following a 2002 research project on the relations between the European Security and Defence Policy and the space sector (see IAI Quaderni, n.15), the IAI conducted an  international study on Space and Security in Europe, funded by the European Space Agency (ESA).
The IAI led a Research Group that included the Centre for European Reform (CER), London, the  Deutsche Gesellschaft für Auswärtige Politik (DGAP), Berlin, the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EU-ISS), Paris, the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique (FRS), Paris,  the Institut d’Etudes Européennes (IEE) of the University of Louvaine and the Real Instituto Elcano des Estudios Internacionales y Estratégicos, Madrid.
The research group was investigating the political, institutional and economics aspects of the European space activities in the security field, as well as the prospective of a common European space security policy.
The final report of the research is available on this website.

Executive Summary (pdf, 188 kb, in English; also available in French and German)
Research Report (zip/pdf, 504 Kb, in English)

The armed forces' logistics support system. Problems and prospects
(May 2000 - November 2001)
Director: M. Nones
Researcher: M. Cremasco
The study examined the requirements pressing for a modern national logistics support system and the problems linked to implementing and managing it, in light of the international experience which seems to favour outsourcing. At the same time, organisation of the European logistic system will soon be one of the most important and qualifying points in the development of Europe's military capacity decided upon at the Helsinki European summit in support of the common European security and defence policy (CESDP). The final report was published in the IAI Quaderni series.

The process of globalisation: security and defence policy, Europe and Italy
(August. 2000-February 2001)
Director: S.Silvestri
The project investigated a number of topics and case studies concerning globalisation as related to security and defence policy. The research analysed specific contributions that deal with the following subjects: civilian and military international organisations and security management; the transatlantic and the global dimensions; consensus and institutions; the CFSP and CESDP; the Asian dimension and the evolution of international governance.

The role of the helicopter in the new military scenario: the Italian outlook
(December 1999-October 2000)
Directors: M. Nones, S. Silvestri
Researcher: G. Gasparini
This research project started with an examination of recent military experiences and the strategic debate and moved toward consideration of the effective potentials of the helicopter in the new international military scenario, with special reference to the Italian case.

The results were published in the series IAI Quaderni and presented at a round table held in Rome, in October 2000.


Enhancing multilateral export control for US national security
(July.-October 2000)
Directors: G. Bonvicini, S. Silvestri
Researcher: G. Gasparini
Supported by the US Congress and House of Representatives, this initiative aimed to evaluate the options for improving multilateral controls of military and dual-use technology exports. Two American institutions, the CSIS (Simon Serfaty) and the Stimson Center were charged with comparing US proposals with those of its major European partners. In Italy, the IAI was asked to organise study meetings and to write a background paper on the control systems in Italy and to assess the current multilateral system. A meeting with American experts and officials was organized at the end of October 2000 to gather information and evaluations of the two countries.

Observatory on
European Defense

Projects concluded