The Italian Carrier Strike Group in the Central Mediterranean for NATO’s Neptune Strike 26-1

The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) has officially announced the participation of the Italian Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in the latest iteration of the NATO “Neptune Strike 26-1”.

Neptune Strike 26-1 is a NATO activity classified as an Enhanced Vigilance Activity (eVA), aimed at strengthening the Alliance’s deterrence and defence through the integrated deployment of naval, air, and amphibious capabilities, with particular emphasis on the use of Carrier Strike Groups and operational readiness in areas of strategic interest.

As confirmed in a recent statement via X (formerly Twitter), the Italian naval group is currently engaged in Enhanced Vigilance activities under the aegis of the Atlantic Alliance.

The main objective of the deployment is to refine operational skills and decision-making processes, strengthening NATO’s presence, readiness, and multi-domain response capabilities in the Mediterranean basin.

The Fleet’s Composition

Leading the Carrier Strike Group is the fleet flagship, the aircraft carrier Cavour, alongside its embarked Carrier Vessel Air Wing. Providing direct escort and ensuring the necessary anti-aircraft and anti-submarine security framework are two frontline units:

• The guided-missile destroyer Caio Duilio (Horizon class)
• The multi-role frigate Virginio Fasan (FREMM class)

Operations in the Central Med: Where is the CSG?

Although the Navy maintains—as is standard for security reasons—strict confidentiality regarding the exact coordinates of the operations, it is known that the CSG is operating in the Central Mediterranean.

An interesting clue regarding the formation’s recent movements came directly from the destroyer Caio Duilio, which just a few days ago was operating and tracked in the waters off the island of Stromboli. It is highly likely that the fleet is utilizing that specific maritime quadrant to conduct the “intense operational sessions in realistic scenarios” mentioned in the official statement, ensuring security and exercising deterrence along the main sea lines of communication.

The Embarked Air Wing: The Handover Between Harrier and F-35

From a strictly aeronautical perspective, Neptune Strike 26-1 offers a point of great interest. Flight operations from the deck of the Cavour feature the joint employment of the new fifth-generation F-35B fighters (belonging to both the Italian Navy and the Italian Air Force) and the veteran AV-8B Harrier II Plus.

This coexistence represents a historic and visually fascinating moment for Naval Aviation: on one hand, the advanced stealth technology representing the present and future; on the other, a glorious machine now in the twilight of its operational life. The Harriers are indeed preparing for their definitive retirement, progressively and completely yielding the flight deck to the Lightning IIs.

Neptune Strike thus confirms itself not only as a vital tool for NATO deterrence but also as a fundamental testing ground to trial the complete integration of the new F-35 weapon system within the complex dynamics of a Carrier Strike Group.