From May 5 to 11, 2025, the central Mediterranean will host Mediterranean Strike 25, an advanced dual-carrier exercise involving the Italian Navy and the Royal Navy’s multinational Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs).
The exercise represents a valuable opportunity to test the operational capabilities of both CSGs. For the Italian Navy, this process began in 2024 with joint operations alongside the French Charles de Gaulle carrier strike group during Polaris 24, which was integrated with Mare Aperto, the Italian Navy’s main training event.
The preparation for Mediterranean Strike 25 started in September 2024 with an initial reconnaissance visit to CINCNAV by the UK’s Joint Training and Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS). The planning phase accelerated in November with the Initial Planning Conference (IPC) at the Maritime Warfare Center in Portsmouth, followed by a subsequent Main Planning Conference (MPC) in March 2025 at the Italian Fleet Command (CINCNAV).
In addition to the carrier strike groups, the exercise will also involve assets from the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare – AM).
Mediterranean Strike 25 marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation between the two navies, providing an opportunity to enhance the operational effectiveness of carrier strike groups in complex scenarios. The interaction between the two CSGs will refine tactics for countering various threats, increasing interoperability and operational readiness in an increasingly dynamic maritime security environment.
Source: Italian Navy
