The exercise ended a few days ago Open Sea 25, the most complex training activity of the Navy, the assets of the Naval Squadron continue their operational commitment without stopping. The units are currently employed in national and international missions - such as Mediterraneo Sicuro, Gabinia, EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, IRINI, ATALANTA and the strategic projection activities in the Indo-Pacific theater - and, at the same time, participate in a busy schedule of exercises that involves the entire Wider Mediterranean.
The MEDSTRIKE 2025 exercise has started these days, which sees cooperation between the carrier strike groups (CSG) Italian and British, with the aim of testing interoperability, rapid response capacity in crisis scenarios and the integration of the most modern naval air defence systems.
The Command in Chief of the Naval Fleet (CINCNAV) leads the activities as HICON (High Control) of the exercise, exercising the EXCON (Exercise Control) role with colleagues from the Royal Navy. Among the main training focuses: the use of capabilities unmanned, live fire activities, the advanced use of electronic warfare systems and the verification of air tanker refueling capabilities.
At the same time, Ship Alghero, operating in the waters of the Balearic Islands, takes part in SPANISH MINEX 25, an exercise organized by the Spanish Navy and focused on Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations. The activity aims to strengthen operational readiness, interoperability and response to asymmetric and hybrid threats.
Ship St. George, with personnel and vehicles of the marine brigade on board Saint Mark, participates in the ORION 2025 exercise, currently underway in Portugal. The objective is the integration of forces within the framework of the European Union Battle Group 25-2/26-1 (EUBG 25-2/26-1), through a joint planning and operational execution phase. An opportunity to raise the level of readiness and cohesion in a multinational context.
In the Gulf of Guinea, Ship Bettica, already used in the operation Gabinia and currently under the Euromarfor flag, participates in the OBANGAME EXPRESS 2025, an exercise coordinated by USAFRICOM and conducted by USNAVAF. The activity is focused on strengthening regional cooperation and shared response capacity, through coordination between the operational centers of the coastal navies. Among the objectives, energy security, the fight against piracy, illicit trafficking and illegal fishing.
The Navy also participates with the Multipurpose Combat Ship in the full ship version Giovanni delle Bande Nere, at Formidable Shield 25, a major biennial Allied exercise off the coast of Scotland, which aims to improve air and missile defence capabilities, thanks to the use of advanced technologies and the integration of multiple assets in extremely challenging training scenarios.
It is worth highlighting the further commitment supported within the framework of JOINT STARS 2025, an exercise planned and coordinated by the joint command (COVI) and which sees the participation, among the numerous naval assets, of Nave Trieste which is the headquarters of the Exercise Control (EXCON) in the port of Cagliari.
Through its operational presence and training activities in the seas of the world, the Navy continues to confirm its role as a credible force, capable of operating in complex scenarios and cooperating effectively with international partners to make a concrete contribution to stability, peace and global security.
