​​The Italy-Morocco bilateral exercise, named ITA-MOR 24, took place in Taranto from November 13th to 21st. It was divided into two phases: a harbour phase and a LIVEX phase at sea in the Gulf waters. The just-ended edition, which is part of a series of biennial events, is one of the cooperation activities that the Italian Navy carries out with the Navies of the North African coastal countries with the aim of increasing and consolidating the capacity for cooperation and interoperability among them. 

The 2024 Italian-led edition, planned and coordinated by the Second Naval Division Command, saw the participation of the Multipurpose Combat Ship Francesco Morosini, a security team from the San Marco Marine Brigade and and an SH-90 helicopter from the 4th Squadron based in Grottaglie.

The Moroccan Navy contributed a Dutch-built Sigma-class frigate, named Tarik Ben Ziyad, a security team and a Panther helicopter.

Prior to at sea-activities, the participating units conducted an onshore joint planning phase in Taranto, including briefings, face-to-face meetings between crews and specialist teams, visits to the bridge simulator of the Naval Aviation Training Centre, and cultural exchanges such as a visit to the city's Aragonese castle and recreational activities at the Mar Grande Naval Base.

The LIVEX phase of the exercise, held from November 18th to 21st, covered a variety of training scenarios.

Activities included surveillance and monitoring of merchant traffic, countering illicit activities at sea, conducting boarding exercises with security team insertion from helicopter, cinematic maneuvers, reactions to asymmetric attacks conducted by fast boats and helicopters, air defence, damage control and passive defence training.      

The joint training between flight crews and deck teams has also been fruitful, enabling both helicopters to conduct approaches, fast rope descents, and landings, ultimately allowing the Moroccan helicopter to land on the deck of ITS Morosini.

The ITA-MOR exercises are part of a broader partnership aimed at strengthening international cooperation, in a context of shared security and in response to the renewed challenges facing the Mediterranean strategic landscape. ​