Tensions in Hormuz: Italian Navy Ready for Deployment. Four Units on “High Readiness”

Italy’s strategic posture in the Middle Eastern theater is seeing a decisive acceleration. Following recent parliamentary hearings featuring Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, details have emerged regarding the naval Task Force that Italy is prepared to deploy to ensure maritime security and counter-mine threats in the Strait of Hormuz.

According to major media outlets and confirmations from political leadership, four Italian Navy units have been placed on high operational alert, ready to set sail within 48 hours to join the international coalition (the so-called “Rome Coalition”).

The Task Force Details

The naval group reflects a combination of specialized capabilities (Mine Countermeasures) and latest-generation multi-role protection:

• ITS Rimini (M 5561): A Gaeta-class minehunter that has undergone the Mid-Life Update (MLU) program. This unit is a key asset due to the integration of the Hugin 3000 AUV, an autonomous underwater vehicle capable of high-resolution seabed mapping and detecting insidious threats in deep waters.
• ITS Crotone (M 5558): This Gaeta-class (MLU) unit is also ready for deployment. The presence of two minehunters underscores the specific nature of the mission: clearing and monitoring maritime “choke points” where the risk of naval mines is high.
• ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432): The third Multipurpose Offshore Patrol Vessel (PPA) in Light Plus configuration. Recently involved in advanced testing of SAAM ESD air defense systems, the Montecuccoli provides the Task Force with protection against air and missile threats, alongside significant response speed.
• ITS Atlante (A 5336): Having entered service in December 2025, this second Logistic Support Ship (LSS) of the Vulcano class is the enabling element for long-range projection. With its refueling, medical support (Role 2), and maintenance capabilities, the Atlante will allow the Task Force to operate autonomously far from national bases.

Strategic Context

The hearings held by Tajani and Crosetto on May 13, 2026, reaffirmed the centrality of the “Rome Coalition” for the stability of energy and commercial flows. The naval device will not be limited to a deterrent presence but will have the technical task of ensuring that the Strait of Hormuz routes remain clear of explosives amid rising regional tensions.

The activation of the 48-hour window suggests that the sailing order could arrive imminently, as soon as parliamentary procedures for mission funding are finalized.