Our History
From concept to accreditation
The Underwater Centre of Excellence is the result of a structured process that began in early 2024, when Italy proposed the establishment of a dedicated centre to address the growing strategic importance of the underwater dimension for Allied security.
The journey toward NATO accreditation unfolds across three main phases.
- COE Concept Development saw Italy submit its proposal and receive authorisation from the NATO Military Committee in October 2024 to proceed with the development of the Centre. This phase has focused on drafting the Concept, the foundational document that defines the Centre’s mission, vision, and strategic objectives.
- Operational MOU and EOL Development brings Sponsoring Nations together through a series of Establishment Conferences and the signing of the Operational MOU to define the Centre's organisation, staffing and operational framework. The EOL establishes the first formal relationship between the Underwater COE and NATO.
- Functional MOU Development covers the formal accreditation process and the Centre's official entry into the NATO COE Network.
The year 2026 marks the final steps toward full accreditation: signing key agreements, completing NATO's formal assessment process and the expected recognition by the North Atlantic Council as a NATO Centre of Excellence, followed by the signing of the Functional MOU establishing the Centre's relationship with NATO.
Accreditation
Planned milestone towards full accreditation and recognition as a NATO Centre of Excellence.
| 19-21 Jan 2026 |
Operational MOU Signing
Formal agreement between Sponsoring Nations establishing the Centre's governance, organisation and cost-sharing arrangements, enabling the formation of the Steering Committee. |
| Mar 2026 |
1st Steering Committee Meeting
The Centre's governing body, composed of representatives from each Sponsoring Nation, meets for the first time. |
| Apr 2026 |
EOL Signing
Exchange of Letters defines the mutual relationships between HQ SACT and the Underwater COE prior to the accreditation by NATO. |
| Jul 2026 |
Underwater Operations Seminar
Three days international seminar on underwater doctrine and operations. The event gathers NATO experts specializing in underwater warfare, foresee an OPEX provided by Italian Navy and testing of demonstrators finalized by the National Hub for Underwater (PNS) |
| Jul 2026 |
Accreditation Assessment Visit
A NATO delegation visits the Centre to verify all accreditation requirements are met. |
| Oct 2026 |
NAC Approval
The North Atlantic Council grants official accreditation to the Underwater COE. |
| Dec 2026 |
Functional MOU Signing
This document establishes the functional relationship between the Underwater COE and NATO. |
Establishment
Sponsoring Nations convene to define the organisational structure, staffing arrangements and operational framework of the Centre.
| 18-20 Feb 2025 |
1st Establishment Conference
Discussion and definition of the Centre's Concept document. |
| 17-19 Jun 2025 |
2nd Establishment Conference
Refine and finalize the draft Concept and focus on the Centre's governance, staffing and capability development |
| Dec 2025 |
Underwater COE Concept validated by SACT
The Supreme Allied Commander Transformation formally endorses the Centre's Concept. |
COE Concept Development
Italy initiates the formal process to establish a NATO Centre of Excellence dedicated to the underwater dimension.
| Jan 2024 |
Italy’s informal Request to NATO
Italy submits an informal request to explore the creation of an Underwater Centre of Excellence, presenting a draft Concept. |
| 11 Mar 2024 |
ACT initial feedback
Allied Command Transformation provides initial feedback on the draft Underwater COE Concept. |
| 05 Apr 2024 |
Italy Proposal
Italy formally proposes the Underwater COE to NATO. |
| 14 May 2024 |
MC Tasking to Strategic Commands
NATO Military Committee tasks the Strategic Commands to assess the proposal. |
| 03 Oct 2024 |
Bi-SC assessment to MC
Bi-Strategic Command assessment submitted to the Military Committee. |
| 30 Oct 2024 |
MC Decision
NATO Military Committee authorises the project to proceed. |
| 19-21 Nov 2024 |
Draft Concept Revision Meeting
Refines the Centre's Concept document and outlines the roadmap for implementation. |
Timeline
