Italy, like other European nations, plans to potentially deploy its navy and carrier strike group to the Indo-Pacific to demonstrate its commitment to the region.
Italy is stepping up its involvement in the Indo-Pacific this year by participating in the region’s largest naval exercise and deploying an aircraft carrier strike group.
Although these plans still await Rome’s approval, Italian naval attaché Capt. Marco Bagni said at the Surface Naval Association’s (SNA) annual symposium on Tuesday that they are one of the ways European powers can engage in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized this plan.
Marco, along with other European naval attachés such as France, the United Kingdom and Norway, emphasized that the Italian Navy is increasing its focus outside its traditional area of responsibility, the Mediterranean. With around 2% of Italy’s economy coming from the sea, the attaché emphasized the importance of keeping maritime communication routes open and free under a rules-based international order.
In 2023, the Italian Navy deployed the Taon di Rebel class PPA Francesco Morosini to the Indo-Pacific for six months. Besides demonstrating Rome’s greater involvement in the region, the maritime patrol vessel also gave Asian nations a glimpse of Italy’s naval products during its deployment. LThis year, Naval News had the opportunity to sail aboard Singapore’s Francesco Morosini during IMDEX. The training ship Amerigo Vespucci also embarked on a 20-month global deployment last year. In 2024, it plans to visit several ports in the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
At SNA, Bagni confirmed that the Italian Navy will participate in the 2024 Rim of the Pacific exercise (RIMPAC). Hosted by the U.S. Navy, RIMPAC is held twice a year from June to July and is the world’s largest naval exercise. Although the exercise primarily targets Indo-Pacific countries, the 2014 RIMPAC also included China, and European countries such as France and Germany also participated. This year will be the first year that Rome will participate directly, although observers from the Italian Navy have participated in several training exercises in the past.
Berni also added that pending “Political recognition” The Italian Navy plans to deploy its Cavour carrier strike group from Rome to the Indo-Pacific for the first time this year. Although these plans are still pending, the deployments are as follows, he said. “probably.”
“I think starting in June 2024, the Cavour Carrier Strike Group will be deployed to the Indo-Pacific region for six months. And by the end of the year, we will achieve initial operational capability for the F-35 Bravo. Formatively. According to the principles of the European Airline Group Interoperability Initiative, deployments to the Indo-Pacific could involve the participation of EU and partner navies.
In this planned deployment, the Italian Navy aims to collaborate with Japan, Australia and the United States, in particular through air-based activities such as the Australian exercise “Pitch Black” and exchanges with Japan’s new airship components. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force mentioned cooperation regarding the latter’s F-35B operations last year.e. Similar to comments from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Staff, Marco said this exchange with Japan’s carrier strike group was a possibility. “Please share the experience of the Italian Navy in fitting the F-35B to ITS Cavour.”
“There are lots of opportunities to socialize and exercise.” Relationships with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps were also mentioned, but not specified.
Bagni could not provide further details in response to questions from Rome, as the carrier’s deployment is still under consideration in Rome. navy news.