The MEDUSA 15 – 2026 large-scale joint and multinational exercise concluded today in Greece, bringing together assets from Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, France and Italy in a scenario encompassing naval, air, amphibious, airborne operations and Special Forces activities.
The exercise, which began on September 10, represents one of the most complex training events in the Mediterranean area. MEDUSA was born in 2015 as a bilateral activity between Greece and Egypt, but over the years it has transformed into a multinational framework in which land, naval and air components are integrated.
The 2026 edition includes participation from Greece, Egypt and Cyprus, while France and Italy deployed their own operational assets. Serbia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Mozambique are present as observers.
Paratroopers, commandos and Special Forces
Particularly significant was the component dedicated to special operations and airborne activities.
During the operational phase, amphibious and airborne actions, Special Forces operations and activities conducted by paratrooper units were carried out, integrated with helicopters, naval units and combat aircraft.
The final phase at Maleme, on the island of Crete, saw military personnel engaged in landings along the coast, insertions from fast boats and activities supported by helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Italy with the frigate Luigi Rizzo
Italy participated in MEDUSA-15 with the frigate Luigi Rizzo of the Navy, inserted in the multinational naval deployment engaged in the various phases of the exercise.
The Italian ship operated alongside assets from the other participating countries in a scenario that integrated naval components, air support, amphibious operations and Special Forces activities.
Italian participation confirms the growing level of interoperability between the Armed Forces of the countries involved, called upon to operate in a complex environment in which naval vessels, aircraft, drones and specialized units must act as part of a single deployment.
FPV drones and swarm attacks
One of the main innovations of the 2026 edition was the large-scale introduction of scenarios related to the threat of drones.
MEDUSA included the use of UAVs, including FPV, and simulations of simultaneous attacks carried out by drone swarms.
The participating forces had to identify, track and neutralize unmanned aircraft using Counter-UAS capabilities.
The Greek Kentauros system was also employed in the scenario, designed to counter unmanned systems and integrated into activities for the protection of forces and critical infrastructure.
The integration of drones with amphibious, air, and Special Forces operations captures one of the most evident aspects of the recent evolution of military training: even highly specialized units must now operate in a space in which sensors, UAVs and electronic countermeasure systems are present in practically every phase of action.
Operations from air to sea
The overall scenario included aerial and naval combat, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious and airborne operations, Special Forces activities and protection of maritime and energy infrastructure.
Frigates, corvettes, missile units, submarines, landing craft, helicopters, combat aircraft and unmanned systems were deployed.
Egypt also deployed the helicopter carrier Gamal Abdel Nasser, a Mistral-class unit capable of supporting amphibious operations and aircraft.
MEDUSA-15 thus shows a training model in which airborne troops and Special Forces no longer operate as isolated elements, but are integrated into a network composed of naval assets, air support, drones, intelligence and Counter-UAS capabilities.
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