The Italian Navy Fleet Command (CINCNAV) – subject to the authority and direction of a vice-admiral – was established on 15 January 1952, in the wake of the tradition of the Command in Chief Naval Forces (established on 9 December 1940), in turn proceeding from the Fleet Command (established on 25 August 1914).

Since 1972, CINCNAV headquarters is located in the S. Rosa district, in the outskirts of Rome that, during World War II, was the seat of the Italian Navy High Command (SUPERMARINA).

Following the review of the Service Chiefs of Staff in 1997, the new millennium has marked a delicate turning point for the Italian Navy, which underwent significant transformations also affecting its operational component.

Moreover, in order to  meet the operational requirements of the new NATO strategy (including the growing relevance of European Defence and multinational operations), since 1999, CINCNAV has been entrusted with the supervision of the Navy's training and operational activities, along with the functions of ensuring the effectiveness and state of readiness, and exerting operational control over air-naval forces.