Formidable Shield 2025: The Italian Navy and Leonardo Technologies at the Center of Integrated Defense

From May 3 to 23, 2025, the icy waters of the North Sea hosted one of NATO's most complex and ambitious exercises: the At Sea Demonstration / Formidable Shield 25 (ASD/FS25). This biennial event, planned by the United States Sixth Fleet and conducted by the STRIKFORNATO command based in Lisbon, tested the ability of allied forces to cooperate in integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) scenarios against advanced threats such as ballistic missiles and drones.

In this edition, the Italian Navy played a leading role thanks to the Nave Giovanni delle Bande Nere, the flagship of the Multi Purpose Combat Ship (PPA) class in its “full” configuration.

Italian technology in the spotlight: Leonardo's contribution

Equipped with the most advanced technological solutions developed by Leonardo, the Nave Giovanni delle Bande Nere actively participated in live-fire events, demonstrating some of the world's most sophisticated monitoring and defense capabilities.

In particular, two systems made the difference:

• The SADOC4, a command and control system that enabled advanced management of air and missile defense operations, ensuring perfect interoperability with allied units.
• The Dual Band Radar, capable of tracking complex threats, from ballistic missiles to supersonic drones, providing real-time data to NATO forces via tactical links.

During the exercise, the radar detected and tracked a short-range ballistic missile, maintaining the tracking until impact at sea and acting as an advanced observer for medium-range missiles launched from land and naval platforms.

Interoperability and cooperation: the key to success

The ability of the Italian Navy to integrate with other NATO forces was one of the key elements of the operation's success. The continuous and secure data flow allowed for a rapid and coordinated response to simulated threats, demonstrating the effectiveness of multinational cooperation in high-intensity contexts.

Leonardo's technological contribution, already recognized globally, has consolidated Italy's role as a leader in integrated defense.

An international recognition for the Italian Navy

At the end of the exercise, the Italian Navy received an official commendation for the effectiveness of its sensors and command systems, highlighting the strategic value of Italian solutions in the Euro-Atlantic security landscape.

The Nave Giovanni delle Bande Nere, with its IAMD capabilities, demonstrated that Italian technology and professionalism are a fundamental asset for NATO.

The ASD/FS25 exercise confirmed Italy's centrality in European and global defense. The perfect synergy between advanced technology and international cooperation represents the main path to facing future security challenges.