One of the finest specialties of the Infantry, it was constituted in Italy at the eve of the Second World War.

The first units were formed in Castelbenito, near Tripoli, where the first Parachuting Military School was instituted by the Royal Air Force with Army personnel and Libyan troop of the Colonial Troops Royal Corps.

After the first two Libyan battalions, the "Nationals" Battalion and the Paratroopers Carabinieri Battalion were constituted.

The specialty has developed with the constitution of the School in Tarquinia that included the components of Castelbenito and the first of the "Folgore" Division.

In 1941 the Paratroopers Division was formed and trained with the aim of occupying Malta; for operational needs since July 1942 it has employed in Northern Africa.

In that situation the fame of the Italian paratroopers consolidated. After the battle of El Alamein, Sir Winston Churchill said: "…we must bow in front of the remains of the Folgore lions" because the Division had resisted against an attack by two armoured divisions and four infantry divisions.

In Italy a second School in Viterbo was founded and the "Nembo" Division, followed by the "Ciclone" Division. But the armistice blocked the further development of the specialty. As part of the Italian Corps of Liberation, before being reorganized in "Folgore" Combat Group,  the "Nembo" Division fought against the Germans.

At present there are 4 regiments and their Flags are awarded with 2 Knight Crossesof the Italian Military Order, 2 Gold Medals, 4 Silver Medals, 1 Bronze Medal and 1 War Cross to the Military Valour, a Gold Medal, 3 Silver Medals, 1 Bronze Medal to the Army Valour and 1 Silver Medal to the Civil Valour.