Admiral Enrico Credendino is the new Chief of the Italian Navy. He has taken over from Admiral Cavo Dragone who will take over as Chief of Defence Staff.
The hand-over/take-over ceremony has taken place in the afternoon of 4 November 2021 in the courtyard of Palazzo Marina, in the presence of Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini, Undersecretary Stefania Pucciarelli, the Presidents of Defence Parliamentary Committees, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Enzo Vecciarelli.
Addressing the personnel, Admiral Cavo Dragone underlined that most of his 28-month mandate was characterised by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Italian Navy – he said – was a pioneer becoming a useful source of good advice for the Navies of other countries that were stricken by the pandemic some weeks later. The Italian Navy was likewise very active at home, offering a major contribution in terms of medical and paramedical personnel to national defence and health service. In the meantime, it fulfilled all its commitments, both in the conduct of national operations and in terms of contribution to air and naval EU and NATO task forces, thanks to the self-sacrifice of crews that remained onboard at sea for months, without the possibility to go ashore in order to respect isolation precautions. Admiral Cavo Dragone then mentioned some of the Italian Navy's recent achievements, notably the aircraft carrier Cavour's campaign in the United States aimed at getting the certification to operate the new F-35B aircraft.
After the ceremony of the handing-over of the War Flag, symbol of command, Admiral Credendino thanked the President of the Italian Republic, the Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff for his appointment as Chief of the Navy. He underlined that the transfer of command symbolically took place on the day when Italy celebrates National Unification and Armed Forces, then expressed his best wishes to his predecessor for his new assignment, pledging to take over the helm of the Italian Navy following his route: “I am fully aware – said the admiral – that I have inherited a precious legacy made, as our prayer reads, of iron chests, commitment, excellence and great devotion to our country".
Outlining his guidelines for the future, Admiral Credendino set out five priorities: promotion of maritime culture in a country that relies on the sea in every aspect (social, economic and security), focus on the organisational structure and well-being of personnel, including workplace adjustment, updating operational capabilities, and fight against Covid-19.
“Located in the centre of the Mare Nostrum, Italy – said Admiral Credendino, who also mentioned the recent institution of the Exclusive Economic Zone by the Parliament – has a marked maritime connotation, deeply relying on the sea in every socio-economic and security aspect. The Mediterranean region, crucial Southern flank of EU and NATO defence, is today a hotspot of alarming antagonisms and economic and geopolitical interests of coastal states: state and non-state actors, intensifying their presence across the region, pose a threat to our rights to exploit marine resources and endanger the fundamental freedom of maritime traffic and navigation, which is imperative for us to defend and protect".
The area of immediate national interest – said the new Chief of the Italian Navy – is the “Wider Mediterranean", “a geostrategic and geoeconomic continuum stretching as far as to the Black Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Gulf. This area is heavily impacted by deep fault lines, interferences by assertive actors, illegal trafficking, social unrest and religious and climate phenomena. The Italian Navy will have therefore to continue to ensure a constant and adequate air and naval presence, guaranteeing surveillance of maritime areas of national interest and defence of shipping lines. A decisive instrument will be the “Ministerial Directive for Defence and Security Strategy in the Mediterranean", that is being adopted, which will be a first and crucial step towards the reconnaissance of Italy's role of medium maritime regional power".
“Playing a central role in the national economic cluster, and following its centuries-old tradition of readiness, flexibility and operational capability, the Italian Navy will therefore keep on protecting Italy's maritime vocation, safeguarding the interests of all stakeholders. A joint instrument by vocation, the Italian Navy will continue to fulfil its institutional tasks thanks to the self-sacrifice, courage and determination of its personnel, which is its most valuable resource. I pay tribute to my crew – concluded the new Chief of the Italian Navy –assuring them that I'll devote all myself and my energy to leading the Italian Navy“.
Born in Turin, 58 years old, Admiral Credendino takes over as Chief of the Italian Navy after having served as Commander in Chief Naval Fleet, the Navy's beating heart, consisting of 91 ships, 6 submarines and 75 aircraft and helicopters, manned by some 18,000 male and female personnel of all ages. He had formerly held the position of Commander of the Italian Navy Schools.
From 2015 to 2020, Admiral Credendino was the first Operation Commander of EUNAVFOR Med - Operation Sophia, in the Mediterranean, earning unanimous praise from the European Commission and governments of the other member States for his skilful, professional and effective leadership in the first EU Common Security and Defence Policy operation in the Mediterranean Sea. During the second half of 2012, he had been European Union Naval Force Commander, for EUNAVFOR operation “Atalanta", in the Indian Ocean.
