Italian Army Chief of Staff in Qatar: talks on training, technology and defense

The official visit to the State of Qatar by the Italian Army Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Carmine Masiello, concluded on October 7, 2026.

The mission provided an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between the respective Ground Forces and reinforce international strategic dialogue. During his stay in Doha, Masiello met with his Qatari counterpart, Major General Jassim bin Ali Al Attiyah.

Discussions on global security

At the Qatar Land Forces Command, the two Chiefs of Staff reviewed the current global security environment, regarded as fluid and unpredictable.

The discussions also addressed the impact of technology on the conduct of operations, which, according to the participants, is changing at an unprecedented pace.

The visit continued at the local training center, where the Italian delegation examined Qatari efforts to acquire combat platforms and simulation systems.

A subsequent stop at the 401 Special Operations Training Center offered an opportunity to observe the Qatari Armed Forces’ level of specialization. The activities covered peacekeeping, counterterrorism and more demanding conventional scenarios.

Helicopters and multilayered defense

During the mission, Masiello also met with the Air Force Commander. The discussion focused on helicopter support for ground operations.

With the Air Defense Commander, meanwhile, the Italian Army Chief of Staff discussed the new multilayered approach to protection against threats from the air domain, including drones and cruise missiles.

The talks highlighted a shared desire to consolidate friendly relations and continue the cooperation already underway in training and education.

The two sides also intend to continue their efforts in the field of capability development, with particular attention to innovation and emerging technologies.