Mussolini may still starve North Africa of resources

Would better Italian tanks and aircraft make the North African position much stronger by 1942?

The equipment could improve, but Mussolini's political distrust may still keep the North African command short of supplies and modern weapons.

Italy has time to rebuild its Army and Air Force, while the Allies also gain newer equipment. The answer interprets Mussolini's treatment of North African commands through political distrust of the men sent there. Franco's use of an army from Morocco provides an example of the danger a colonial force could pose to the government at home. On that reading, Mussolini could still withhold modern equipment to prevent a rival acquiring an independent power base. This is an explanation of the political constraint, rather than proof that extra national production would reach the theatre.