An Italian parliamentary committee approved on Tuesday a government plan worth some 8.2 billion euros ($8.86 billion) to buy new-generation tanks and revamp the army's ground forces, two sources close to the matter said, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The plan is part of a broader initiative by the government of Giorgia Meloni to boost defence procurement as Europe and NATO grapple with heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

According to a parliamentary document seen by Reuters, the programme will run from 2025 to 2038. Some 5.4 billions have already been earmarked, while arrangements to finance the remaining 2.7 billion have yet to be established.

"The programme relates to the acquisition of heavy component platforms with special reference to the new generation Main Battle Tank (MBT)," the document said.