Italian Navy’s Antonio Marceglia Begins Indo-Pacific Operation: Visit to 12 Countries

The Antonio Marceglia (F 597), an Antonio Bergamini-class FREMM frigate, has departed from its homeport at La Spezia Naval Base on January 20, 2025. The vessel is embarking on an operational ‘projection’ campaign in the Indo-Pacific region. This extensive mission includes visits to at least twelve countries, participation in multinational exercises, and engagement in various exhibitions supporting Italian diplomacy and industry.

Strategic Significance of the Indo-Pacific Mission

Undersecretary of State for Defence, Matteo Perego di Cremnago, emphasized the importance of Italy’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. He stated during a ceremony where six new raider operators were inducted into the Italian Navy Gruppo Operativo Incursori (GOI) Special Forces Unit, that despite the region not being Italy’s primary area of interest, it holds critical strategic significance. The current geopolitical tensions necessitate increased naval presence and engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

According to Perego, “The tensions that characterize the Indo-Pacific region are significant, and Italy considers the area vital for its strategic interests, despite it not being part of what is defined as the ‘Enlarged Mediterranean.’ This campaign builds upon our efforts of the past two years, during which Italy’s naval presence in the region has grown considerably.”

Details of the Operational Projection Campaign

The Antonio Marceglia will visit an array of countries over an estimated six-month period, with a return expected sometime in the first half of July 2025. The crew will be involved in training, operational events, exercises, and exhibitions to foster naval diplomacy and cooperation. The mission will include participation in international events and support for Italian diplomatic and industrial efforts.

The strategic route includes countries such as Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Qatar, and Oman. Upon departing Djibouti, the Marceglia will enter Sri Lanka, followed by stops in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. In Thailand, the ship is scheduled to participate in the 5th Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, while in the Philippines, it will call at Manila.

The campaign will then shift to the East Asian nations, with visits to Japan in April. The Japanese cities of Osaka and Yokosuka are highlighted, with the Marceglia expected to showcase its presence at the Osaka Expo 2025 and visit the Yokosuka naval base. Following Japan, the itinerary includes South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Plans for May include stops at the IMDEX exhibition in Singapore and LIMA exhibition in Malaysia. In June, theMarceglia will make its way to India, calling likely at Mumbai, before heading to Qatar (Doha) and Oman. Before concluding its East Asia itinerary, it will return to Indonesia, likely calling in Jakarta, before heading back towards the Mediterranean via Aqaba, Jordan.

Capabilities of the Antonio Marceglia

The Antonio Marceglia is the eighth platform in the Bergamini class, specifically a GP (General Purpose) frigate. This class is equipped with a comprehensive array of armaments and systems for anti-surface and anti-air warfare. Key elements include:

• A Leonardo 127/64 mm LW (Light Weight) gun, capable of firing Vulcano long-range guided ammunition.
• A 76/62 Super Rapido gun mount, able to fire DART guided ammunition to counteract anti-ship missiles and asymmetric threats.
• Eight MBDA Teseo/Otomat Mk2/A anti-ship missiles for dealing with maritime threats.
• Two 8-cell naval Group A50 Very Large Surface-to-Air Missile (VLS) launchers, filled with MBDA Aster 15 and 30 air defense missiles for robust air defense capabilities.
• Two 25/80 mm small guns and launchers for both anti-air and anti-torpedo decoys.
• A Thales bow-mounted sonar system, essential for underwater threat detection.

These capabilities underscore the Antonio Marceglia’s readiness to respond to a wide range of maritime and aerial threats, making it a formidable asset in the Indo-Pacific.

Conclusion and Future Prospects

The Antonio Marceglia’s Indo-Pacific mission exemplifies Italy’s commitment to regional stability and international cooperation. This strategic engagement not only reinforces Italy’s military presence but also supports its broader diplomatic and economic interests in the region. As tensions continue to escalate in the Indo-Pacific, the Italian Navy’s proactive role will remain crucial for the regional balance of power.

The upcoming months will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of such international naval operations, highlighting the importance of global cooperation in addressing complex marine security challenges.

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