With the entry of naval units into the port of Cagliari on April 28, theItalian Minex of 2023. It is the largest national exercise focused on Mine Warfare, now traditionally integrated into the broader context of the first session of the major naval exercise of the Navy "Mare Aperto" (MA 23-1).
In this edition the units have been included in the MCM TG (Mine Counter Measure Task Group) made up of 11 ships including minesweepers, command headquarters supply units and auxiliary units also specialized in minelaying activities. To all these assets were added 6 underwater and surface autonomous vehicles and 3 teams of divers specialized in the neutralization of underwater ordnance (qualified Explosive Ordnance Disposal - EOD).
The activity was conducted in the waters of southern Sardinia, in a multi-dome scenario and in a challenging underwater environment for the crews, with more than 40 simulacra of mines laid, in a total of 54 square nautical miles which were explored by the ships. In addition to training, the activity was made more captivating by the discovery of 6 unexploded ordnance, real naval mines dating back to the Second World War. During the same exercise, the mines were removed and taken to areas suitable for their neutralization, where they were _ as they say in jargon _ countermined, in competition with the nucleus Demining Defense Against Insidious Means (SDAI) of the underwater group of the Navy of Cagliari.
Once again the high value of the capacity of the mine countermeasure forces is evident which, even in exercise, contribute concretely to the safety of coastal maritime activities and access routes to ports.
