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Kick-off Meeting for the establishment of NATO Underwater Centre of Excellence
The Ministry of Defence has promoted the establishment and NATO accreditation of an Underwater Centre of Excellence, which will be based in La Spezia.
Other three Centres of Excellence are already present in the national territory: the Modelling & Simulation, based in Rome, the Stability Policing, located in Vicenza, and the Security Force Assistance in Cesano. Italy thus confirms itself as the leading country within NATO in terms of participation in the Atlantic Alliance's Centres of Excellence.
From February 18th to 20th, the 1st Establishment Conference was held in Rome at the 'Caio Duilio' Navy Officers' Club, to discuss and define the concept document underlying the project. Delegations from 12 Allied Nations, 8 Partner Countries, as well as NATO Strategic Commands, attended the event, demonstrating the importance and relevance of the initiative.
The meeting was opened by Vice Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy and head of the Establishment Team, who stated in his speech:
We have long recognised the strategic value of the underwater dimension, which is why we want to develop a structured hub, a real underwater district, which in addition to the CMRE and the PNS can also include the new NATO Underwater Centre of Excellence in La Spezia. Only through a common and shared effort, demonstrated by the large presence in this meeting, can we develop those skills and technologies that are now essential to overcome the deep ocean challenges. I wish a fruitful work to all of you and I trust in the full success of this initiative.
In La Spezia, a true ecosystem of the underwater dimension will be created, where synergies will be developed with allied and national departments already present in the same location, such as the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, the Naval Support and Experimentation Centre, and the National Hub for the Underwater Dimension, but also, given the proximity, with the academic and industrial sectors operating in the field.
The process of establishing the Centre and its NATO accreditation is likely to be completed in 2026.
Technical Data Sheet on NATO Centres of Excellence
NATO-Accredited Centres of Excellence are multi-national or national established and sponsored entities that offer a recognised expertise in their area of competence, providing support to the Atlantic Alliance and to its Members and Partners within the 4 'transformation pillars': 'Education and Training', 'Analysis and Lessons Learned', 'Concept Development and Standardization' and 'Doctrine Development and Standardization'.
Thus far, NATO has granted accreditation to 30 Centres, 20 of which Italy participates in as Sponsoring Nation.
