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After intense out-of-area operational activity, ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere returned to La Spezia naval base.

Since last April, the unit has been involved in two significant international training exercises: At Sea Demonstration/Formidable Shield 2025 (ASD/FS25) and POLARIS 25. Both exercises aimed to strengthen interoperability, deterrence, and the integrated response capabilities of the Italian Navy within a multinational context.

From May 3rd to 23rd, the ship participated in ASD/FS25, the largest "live-fire" naval exercise in the Euro-Atlantic area dedicated to Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD).

Planned by the United States Sixth Fleet and conducted by the NATO Naval Striking and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO) command based in Lisbon, the exercise took place in the Scottish waters of the Hebrides range.

This training exercise tested a wide range of multi-domain capabilities, from surface to cyberspace. It involved 16 naval units, over 25 air assets, and approximately 3,000 military personnel from 10 allied nations (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with observers from Australia, Greece, and Turkey.

Among the training scenarios, an extremely topical one was the “swarm scenario", involving the simulation of multiple and simultaneous asymmetric threats — both air and surface — which were countered using the ship's integrated capabilities.

Among the national objectives achieved were the tracking of subsonic and supersonic aerial targets, including sea-skimming ones, as well as short and medium-range ballistic targets, using the new-generation Dual Band radar. These data were then shared via the Link 16 network. Finally, an integrated launch of an Aster 15 telemetry missile, which successfully engaged and neutralized a sea-skimming subsonic target, which was tracked and shared in real-time with other participating allied units.

From May 29th to June 11th, ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere, along with ITS San Giorgio as part of the Littoral Expeditionary Group, participated in POLARIS 25, one of the most complex naval and air exercises conducted in Europe.

Organised by the French Marine Nationale in an area spanning the Atlantic Ocean and the English Channel, the exercise involved over 3,000 military personnel, more than 20 naval units, 40 aircraft, and numerous joint and multinational assets.