Nave Marceglia’s mission strengthens naval diplomacy, enhances cooperation with regional partners, and promotes the Italian defence industry. A key example is Indonesia, which recently signed a major contract for Italian-built warships. This growing engagement underscores Italy’s commitment to security and economic partnerships in the region, aligning with broader European and NATO strategies
Departed from La Spezia. The Italian Navy’s Antonio Marceglia (F 597), a Bergamini-class FREMM frigate, has embarked on a six-month campaign across the Indo-Pacific.
- Departing from La Spezia Naval Base on 20 January, the mission includes visits to twelve countries, participation in multinational exercises, and diplomatic engagements, underscoring Italy’s expanding strategic interests in the region.
- The Marceglia is designed for multi-role operations and is equipped with:
- Leonardo 127/64 mm gun with Vulcano guided ammunition, MBDA Aster air defence missiles, and Teseo/Otomat anti-ship missiles;
- special forces RHIBs, decoy launchers, and anti-torpedo systems, enhancing versatility in both defence and cooperation missions.
Why it matters. Italy’s strategic focus has extended into the “Indo-Mediterranean,” an area connecting the Enlarged Mediterranean and the Indo-Pacific.
- This deployment follows similar operations, including those of the carrier strike group led by Nave Cavour, aiming to strengthen maritime security and partnerships with regional allies.
- As Undersecretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago explained, “the tensions that are measured in the Indo-Pacific characterise the current geopolitical context, and as Italy, despite the same region not being an integral part of what is defined as the ‘Enlarged Mediterranean,’ which is our area of priority interest, we consider the Indo-Pacific an important and strategic area for us.”
Strengthening presence and partnerships. Nave Marceglia’s deployment follows a clear multi-pronged strategy aimed at reinforcing Italy’s influence in the Indo-Pacific through three key objectives.
- Interoperability: Italy seeks to enhance its ability to operate alongside allied and partner navies through joint exercises, improving tactical coordination and operational readiness. The frigate will participate in exercises such as the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) in Indonesia (14–22 February), crucial for fostering naval cooperation.
- Naval diplomacy: The mission aims to deepen political and security ties by increasing Italy’s presence in strategic waters. Port visits and naval engagements in countries such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Qatar, and Oman will enhance regional awareness and collaboration. Additional stops may include Jordan and Jakarta.
- Defence industry promotion: Participation in high-profile defence exhibitions such as IMDEX (Singapore, 6–8 May) and LIMA (Malaysia, 20–25 May) supports Italian defence companies by showcasing advanced naval technology and capabilities. These efforts aim to strengthen Italy’s defence exports and strategic partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations.
The case of Indonesia. Italy’s naval operations in the Indo-Pacific have already produced tangible defence cooperation, as demonstrated by a recent major contract with Indonesia.
- On 29 January 2025, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri held a renaming ceremony at its Muggiano shipyard for two Multipurpose Combat Ships (MPCS), KRI Brawijaya (320) and KRI Prabu Siliwangi (321).
- The €1.18 billion deal, signed in 2024, reflects Indonesia’s growing interest in Italian naval technology—a relationship nurtured by previous visits of Italian MPCS/PPA vessels Francesco Morosini and Raimondo Montecuccoli in 2023 and 2024.
- Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO of Fincantieri, highlighted the significance of the deal: “This contract is a milestone for the development of a strategic partnership between our Group and Indonesia. We view this as the first of many significant collaborative opportunities with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence.”
- This contract exemplifies how Italian naval missions not only enhance security cooperation but also pave the way for long-term defence industry agreements, boosting Italy’s economic and strategic presence in the region.
The strategic context. Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, Italy Naval Squadron commander, emphasised the campaign’s importance at the fleet’s departure, citing the role of naval diplomacy in advancing Italy’s strategic goals.
- The mission aligns with Italy’s broader aims to:
- protect vital maritime trade routes, and ensure freedom of navigation.
- strengthen ties with key Indo-Pacific partners through defence cooperation.
- support EU and NATO strategies to counterbalance rival powers, particularly China.
Towards a national strategy. Nave Marceglia’s deployment is part of a series of increasingly routine naval operations that reflect Italy’s growing engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
- As the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly central to global security and trade, Italy’s strategic positioning in this interconnected Indo-Mediterranean corridor will be critical to safeguarding its national interests.
- These interests, combined with the extensive research and policy recommendations emerging from the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, suggest that Italy may soon be both ready and compelled to adopt a formal National Strategy for the Indo-Pacific.
