Savoia-Marchetti SM.81 plane

The confirmation of General Mola as the leader of the conspiracy in the spring of 1936 prompted the involvement of the monarchists of Renovación Española, eager to overthrow the Popular Front. Their collaboration proved crucial in the search for international support. The Alfonsists had already initiated talks with the Italian Fascists in 1934. At the time, these were limited to an exchange of reports and proposals that culminated in an agreement with the Italian government, which committed to supporting a coup against the Republic should one take place. On the Spanish side, the agreement was signed by the Count of Rodezno, José Calvo Sotelo, and Antonio Goicoechea, who signed it in the symbolic setting of the Congress of Deputies.

In 1936, the politicians of Renovación Española re-established contact with their previous interlocutor, Ernesto Carpi, a bank employee who frequently visited Barcelona. He was also a close friend of Italo Balbo, then the governor of Italy, who in turn had direct access to Benito Mussolini and his son-in-law, Galeazzo Ciano, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Through Carpi, they resumed sending reports, requesting financial assistance from Ciano and keeping him informed about the progress of the conspiracy. As in 1934, Pedro Sainz Rodríguez played the leading role in the negotiations.

On 1 July, Sainz Rodríguez signed four contracts in Rome for the purchase of an entire arsenal of military equipment worth just over thirty-nine million liras. The acquisition included fifteen Savoia 81 aircraft (the famous "bats," which carried out the Italian bombings), twenty-four CR 32 fighter planes, three Macchi 41s, fuel and lubricants, machine guns, armor-piercing shells, and explosives of various types and sizes. The equipment was modern and highly specialized, making it likely that the negotiator had technical advice or instructions. The scale of the purchase suggests that - at least - the civilian conspirators believed that the coup could lead to a war—and they considered it important to be prepared for such an outcome.

The Alfonsist efforts were completed with their involvement in negotiations aimed at bringing the Carlists into a general agreement. To that end, they held lengthy discussions with the leader of the Traditionalist Communion, Manuel Fal Conde, in which Juan Ignacio Luca de Tena represented the monarchists. The CEDA also participated in the person of José María Gil Robles.

PMC