ROME — More than €500 million (US $546.8 million) that Italy promised to spend on security after the Paris terror attacks will likely support much needed Army maintenance and new Army programs, a government source said, as well as cyber defense and better wages for soldiers.



Reacting to the attacks by ISIS in Paris, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi promised on Nov. 24 to spend an extra €500 million on defense, €150 million on cyber technology and another €350 million on Italy’s underfunded police force for a total of €1 billion.



That €1 billion, he said, would be matched by €1 billion in spending on cultural programs in Italy.



No details were given about the €500 million defense spending and no decision was made because the cash has not been freed up, a defense source said. Generals will now be watching carefully to see if the government is true to its word.



But if and when the money arrives, about €140 million of the sum is likely to be used to add € 80 a month to soldiers' salaries, the source said.



The remaining €360 million will probably be used for Army maintenance and operations (M&O) funding, as well as on "one or two" programs, he said. That could mean more cash for vehicles and digital kit for Italian infantry.



With a potential engagement in lawless Libya on the horizon, alarm is growing over the Army’s M&O spending, which has been so low for years that units not engaged in overseas missions have little cash for fuel or training.



"The Army needs attention — there is a request there," said the source.



Italy's overall military M&O budget for 2015 is €1.15 billion, far lower than the €9.67 billion spent on wages.



"We need at least €3 billion to get by," said one defense analyst who declined to be named.



The analyst said the Air Force was also suffering from M&O cuts.