15. Furthermore, it should be noted how the military has undergone various changes in the last twenty years in order to respond to multiple contingent needs. The recent law No. 244, 2015, however, has significantly decreased the numbers of the armed forces to about 25 % of the original size, and introduced new organisational changes. It is therefore evident that a more systematic and comprehensive review of the governance of the Defence is needed, which, in the spirit and full implementation of 1997 Andreatta reform, can lead to a truly integrated structure distinguished by greater efficiency and effectiveness and especially by economy of operation. 16. Personnel is one of the most important issues for Defence. Over the last two decades important reforms have been carried out, such as the suspension of compulsory military service and the introduction of a “professional model”, as well as the introduction of military service for women. Today, on the basis of this experience and partial legislative adaptations, it has become clear that systematic revision is necessary in order to renew, balance and simplify, both the legislation which regulates the enlistment process and career progression, as well as the measures that define the general legal framework of reference for staff. 17. Finally, the need for a more coordinated and transparent leadership requires some changes in decision-making and internal operations, to ensure a more effective political management of the ministry and better interconnection with other ministries, as part of a united action by the government and conducted by the presidency of the council of ministers. With regards to cooperation between the institutions, it also appears necessary to investigate how to improve communication with regional and local authorities. Using Defence not only for military action and intervention, but also in the case of major catastrophes, for example, means that it is necessary to think about the need for integration and coordination with local authorities and public functions located in the autonomous system that will be developed. - 18 -