The Italian Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto outlined the main lines of development the Marina Militare is pursuing in the medium and long term to guarantee security, effectiveness and operational relevance, during his first hearing at the helm of the service in front of the Italian Parliament Foreign Affairs and Defence committee at Senate on 25 March, after taking command on 6 November 2025.
“For a country like Italy, strongly dependent on external sources for energy supplies and raw materials, the sea is a vital direction. If we broaden our view to the ‘Wider Mediterranean’ [encompassing also the waters down to the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea], a picture characterized by increasing complexity emerges,” he explained, highlighting the growing competition for the control of resources, where key global trade passages and underwater strategic infrastructures need protection. “This in addition to hybrid threats, cyber-attacks, and illicit activities in the world and in the electromagnetic spectrum, and to the use above all of non-conventional fleets to elude sanction regimes.”
“In this scenario, the concept of maritime power evolves. It is no longer sufficient to be efficient; it is necessary to be relevant. Being relevant means being present, being ready, but above all being connected,” he explained, introducing the ITN’s programmatic guidelines for the 2026-2027 period, the three main objectives being the preparation of the military instrument to face complex scenarios, the generation of concrete effects in areas of strategic interest, and the strengthening collaboration with allies and partners.
The achievement of these objectives is based on four fundamental pillars: assets, personnel, organization, and processes,” he remarked. A qualifying element of the Navy is the ability to ensure a continuous presence in the main operational theaters. “In 2026 a constant presence will be guaranteed in the Mediterranean through the operations ‘Mediterraneo Sicuro’ and ‘Fondali Sicuri’ [the latter devoted to critical underwater infrastructures survey and security], in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean within the framework of the European Union ‘Operation Aspides’ and ‘Atalanta’, in the Indo-Pacific [with the campaign of Bande Nere PPA/MPCS to participate to Exercises ‘RIMPAC’ and ‘Pacific Dragon’, Naval News understood], in the Arctic with the continuation of the scientific mission ‘High North’, and in the Gulf of Guinea through the ‘Operation Gabinia’.
“To be effective, the maritime military instrument must be based on a sustainable balance between assets, personnel, and logistical support. This represents one of the most complex challenges for the future, because it requires addressing crucial issues such as recruitment, personnel retention, industrial production capacity, and the availability of raw materials,” VAdm Berutti Bergotto highlighted, starting from the development of assets and systems, where joint work was initiated to reduce design, production and commissioning timelines.
Italian Navy’s priority programs
To guarantee the efficiency of the maritime instrument, some fundamental programs were prioritized by the ITN Chief. “First of all, the renewal of amphibious component, which platforms have now reached 40 years of operational life. They are extremely versatile assets and increasingly central, also as hubs for unmanned systems. In addition, the development of new generation destroyers (DDG) equipped with ballistic missile defense capabilities. Another key request is the development of long-range strike capability, both from naval units and submarines, to ensure effective response options even at great distances.”
Looking to the Italian Navy’s current and future blue-water and projection component, “first, the aircraft carrier capability with fifth-generation aircraft. Today we are the only Navy in the EU to possess it. Second, projection capability, increasingly flexible, not only amphibious but multi-purpose. The Trieste (LHD) platform is a concrete example. Third, the surface component: destroyers, frigates, patrol vessels, replenishment ships, and helicopters. A set that ensures defence, surveillance, and continuous presence at sea. Fourth, the underwater dimension: submarines and special forces, in which we are an international excellence, supported by systems for seabed warfare.”
Examining the table with current and a sustainable ‘nice to have’ composition of the Fleet and Naval Aviation, in addition to the aircraft carrier, the ITN Chief outlined a component of twenty 5th generation F-35B each from the Navy and Air Force (40 in total) already approved by the Italian MoD and Parliament with a ‘nice to have’ additional two aircraft for the Navy. In the new naval inventory prospected by the ITN Chief of Staff, the amphibious force has enlarged to two LHDs and four LPDs (to be designed and built under the LxD project) to establish two dedicated groups. The blue-water component registers an expansion with the addition of two missile-guided destroyers to the already planned four platforms (including two new generation DDGs to be procured in 2026 to replace the already retired Admiral-class units and the Mid-life Upgrade of the Doria-class platforms) a key strengthening to the protection of Italy and NATO/EU countries along naval groups against the ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. This is sided by twelve FREMMs (with the replacement of the oldest to be transferred to Greece and a planned MLU project) along the seven MPCS/PPAs (to be taken all to the Full configuration), four Offshore Patrol Vessels (PPX program) and four Multi Modular Patrol Corvette (MMPCs). The Italian Navy also wants four logistic support ships (LSSs), one more of current plans. A larger Naval Aviation component is foreseen with additional 25 helicopters of unknown type to the current fleet of 86 among SH90s and EH101s.
In the underwater sector, the service foresees a total of 10 submarines (four U212 NFS are under construction while the in-service four U212As are planned to be subjected to an MLU program while two so-called NFS EVO are planned to replace the two Modernized Sauro-class submarines, Naval News understands) plus three large displacement autonomous underwater vehicles (LDAUVs) sided by surface and subsurface platforms devoted to the protection of critical underwater infrastructures. The shown table indicated four Underwater Dimension Surveillance Multirole Platforms (UPSDS, Unità Polivalenti Sorveglianza Dimensione Subacquea) and eight New Generation mine counter-measures vessels (MCMVs) in addition to three hydro-oceanographic vessels, a MCM command/research vessel and a long-range submarine support ship. The Italian Navy also is working on expanding its intelligence platforms component to two ships under the Joint Maritime Multi-Mission System (J3MS) program.
The ITN Chief highlighted the key developments in uncrewed systems, indicated “as real force multipliers”. To strengthen these capabilities, “we are evaluating not only the acquisition of platforms but also of services, especially for more routine activities. At the same time, we are adopting new organizational models to bring closer those who use these systems and those who develop them.”
With the support of short videos, VAdm Berutti Bergotto unveiled for the first time the new uncrewed systems under procurement, starting from the new underwater platform. “We should acquire it at the beginning of June; it is entirely Italian, 12 meters long, and has an autonomy of about 15 days. It can be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), but also as a defense capability for our critical infrastructures.” He didn’t elaborate but Naval News understood from the video that the system in question is developed by Drass company as a customized version of the Ronda next-generation LUUV. The ITN Chief also presented a new USV, built in Italy, 9 meters long, which can be embarked on all service’s ships, capable to reach 50–60 knots depending on propulsion. “This (platform) too, we should integrate shortly,” he unveiled without further details. The USV is called Sea Raptor and was developed by Italian company Defcomm. In October 2025, Fincantieri and Defcomm signed a strategic agreement to accelerate the development of USVs.
VAdm Berutti Bergotto also presented the Baykar TB3. “You know that this company has signed a cooperation agreement with Leonardo; therefore the acquisition will be through Leonardo. It can be integrated on board the Cavour (aircraft carrier). This allows both surveillance and the possibility of carrying armament,” he unveiled. Among the UAS platforms which the Italian Navy has in service or acquired, in addition to the ScanEagle in service on board FREMM frigates, the ITN Chief unveiled a new VTOL platform capable non only to conduct surveillance missions: “We have acquired them recently. It is a system that extends the surveillance capability of naval units; it is quite small and easily integrable. The interesting thing is that it can release a drone that effectively becomes a munition and can go and strike the target,” he remarked, open to the possibility of procuring new weapon systems as anticipated for the TB3. The Revolution VTOL drone comes from the Italian company General Defence, as unveiled by the video.
Another fundamental area highlighted by VAdm Berutti Bergotto was the integration of information to improve situational awareness and decision-making capability. “In this direction we are acting on multiple fronts: we are modernizing the coastal radar network with fixed sensors and mobile capabilities; we have integrated satellite surveillance systems into our operational ecosystem; we are also updating command support systems, introducing advanced analytical tools, also based on artificial intelligence.” Above all, a fundamental element was recalled: cyber resilience. “Ships today are complex and interconnected digital systems. Protecting them from cyber-attacks is essential, because striking a ship’s network means compromising its operational capability.”
The rapid evolution of technology has pushed the Italian Navy to strengthen collaboration with industry and research. “In this context, we launched the Naval Innovation Compass, a tool that allows continuous development of innovative solutions and their gradual integration into operational programs. We have identified some key development trajectories: energy, including nuclear, new materials, underwater technologies, faster production, and platform modularity. It is a true score shared with industry that allows innovation in a synergistic way along the entire supply chain.”
VAdm Berutti Bergotto also requested funding to keep the efficiency of ships and flying assets, the restoration of strategic stocks, in particular ammunition, essential to sustain high-intensity operations. “Finally, the protection of naval bases and air stations, an essential element for the overall security of the instrument,” he unveiled for the first time, highlighting a potential security risk. “Particularly pressing is the need to have greater financial volumes for the service’s readiness funding, to support the growing requirements in training, support, maintenance, and all those basic activities necessary to ensure force readiness.”
“Finally, we have strengthened collaboration with the entire maritime cluster, creating an integrated information network centered on the Navy’s (Multi-Domain) Operations Centre (as part of the Fleet Commanding Headquarters near Rome), which is also attracting interest at the international level.” The latter command also hosts the Critical Underwater Infrastructure Centre, supervising all connected efforts with the sector players.
The ITN Chief reiterated the focus on the Underwater Dimension National Hub (PNS, Polo Nazionale della Dimensione Subacquea) based in La Spezia, “a fully Italian model that brings together defense, industry, universities, and research. Numerous projects have been launched involving over 260 operators, including large companies, small and medium enterprises, universities, and research centers. By 2027, we will have the first demonstrators of projects aimed at developing unmanned assets and systems to strengthen our ability to operate and monitor the underwater environment,” he remarked.
“Personnel represent the beating heart of the Armed Force and are undoubtedly the most important resource to ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the entire military instrument. For this reason, key initiatives have recently been launched that place people at the center, starting with strengthening personnel numbers, accelerating the entry of about 3,000 new units compared to the current 27,200, so as to reach as soon as possible the strength currently authorized by law of 30,050 military personnel,” as the ITN Chief represented it as the first step in the short term toward more substantial increments based on Italian MoD plans. The same applies to civilian personnel, where the Navy has long suffered significant shortages, added VAdm Berutti Bergotto, with the loss of qualified professionals.
Among the intervention plans to push enrollment and provide retention, “an area in which work is underway, is increasing housing availability and strengthening welfare services.”
“In this regard, we trust that over time the most specific allowances of Navy personnel can be adjusted. At the same time, the recruitment capacity of training institutes is being strengthened, accompanied by a significant update of study plans. The intention is to develop skills increasingly aligned with the latest technological developments.”
Particular attention, the ITN Chief said is to pay to young people, who show a growing need to acquire qualifying experiences and specialized knowledge. It is therefore the responsibility of the Armed Force to offer high-level training paths, adopting methods consistent with operational needs, he continued.
In this perspective, “the commitment to training and the definition of employment profiles will continue to be central, especially for young volunteers. Also in the field of personnel employment, numerous initiatives are underway with the aim of enhancing human capital through innovative solutions capable of overcoming traditional schemes.”
In the infrastructure sector, “modernization interventions of naval bases and air stations continue, with the aim of aligning them with the evolution of the maritime instrument. These interventions aim to guarantee increasingly high standards in terms of safety, technical-logistical support, and digital infrastructures. At the La Spezia arsenal, a targeted plan has been launched to accelerate its recovery, while enhancing its productive potential in support of the defense industry.” This is one of the strategic intervention on the service’s arsenals, highlighted Italian Navy Chief, where maintaining and strengthening the most valuable and irreplaceable maintenance capabilities remains a priority, fundamental to ensuring autonomy from the external market, particularly for dry docks and critical assets.
