Today marked the conclusion of “White Fox 2025”, the Italian Army’s international Alpine Troops exercise. Over five days, more than 1,300 soldiers trained in the Dolomites between Alto Adige and Veneto, advancing the Armed Forces’ Arctic warfare capabilities.
The closing ceremony in Piazza Dibona featured speeches by Isabella Rauti, Undersecretary of Defense with responsibility for the Arctic environment, and Lieutenant General Michele Risi, Commander of the Alpine Troops.
During the event, participation certificates were awarded for the Ice Patrol and Ice Challenge drills. These exercises involved all regiments of the Julia and Taurinense Alpine Brigades, alongside units from Poland and Romania, under the technical supervision of the Alpine Training Center.
- Ice Patrol: A 72-hour continuous test of high-altitude planning, movement, and combat skills. Challenges included navigating natural obstacles at night, live-fire engagements, casualty evacuation, and radio communication procedures in English.
- Ice Challenge: A 16 km ski-mountaineering relay with 1,000 meters of elevation gain, starting at the Nordic Arena in Dobbiaco. Teams from all Alpine regiments competed alongside athletes from the Defense Paralympic Sports Group, emphasizing inclusivity. The course honored fallen soldiers from postwar international missions with 25 memorial panels. The 7th Alpine Regiment (Belluno) claimed victory.
Arctic Shield: A Key Tech-Driven Drill
As part of White Fox 2025, yesterday morning featured “Arctic Shield”—a high-tech opposing forces exercise showcasing cyber capabilities in snowbound Arctic-like conditions. The 9th Cyber Security Regiment ‘Rombo’ deployed advanced drones and electronic warfare systems to enable maneuvers by the 3rd Alpine Regiment (Taurinense Brigade) and other ground units.
The drill, conducted at 2,000 meters in the Puster Valley Dolomites, was attended by Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello and Undersecretary Rauti. Participants included the 5th and 7th Alpine Regiments, the 4th Ranger Parachute Alpine Regiment, the 5th ‘Superga’ Artillery Regiment, Army Aviation aircraft, and specialists from the 2nd Engineer Sappers, 28th Pavia Regiment, and 2nd Alpine Signal Regiment. The Julia Logistic Regiment provided general support.
Arctic Forum Dolomites 2025
Following the exercise, Lieutenant General Masiello and Undersecretary Rauti addressed the Arctic Forum Dolomites 2025, an international conference held at Dobbiaco’s Gustav Mahler Auditorium as part of White Fox 2025. Experts debated emerging challenges in the Arctic, dubbed the “new frontier of global geopolitical balance.”
The forum, opened by Lieutenant General Risi and Ambassador Francesco Maria Talò, featured three panels:
- Ends: Geopolitical Interests and Challenges
- Ways: Strategic Approaches to Security and Defense
- Means: Technological Innovation
