The Open Sea 2025 - Countering CBRN Threats

La Mare Aperto è l’esercitazione annuale di maggior rilievo della Difesa Italiana, pianificata e condotta dalla Marina Militare. Si tratta di un evento che coinvolge tutte le forze della Marina, tra cui navi, sommergibili, assetti aerei, forze da sbarco, nonché sistemi avanzati di telecomunicazione e cyber defense. La particolarità dell’edizione 2025 è la sua impostazione interforze e interagenzia, in cui forze militari e civili operano insieme per affrontare minacce complesse in scenari realistici. The exercise took place from 8 to 14 April, focusing on countering CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) threats.

A key aspect of this edition was CBRN emergency management training. Activities extended from the middle of the Tyrrhenian Sea to the Tiber River, with close cooperation between the Italian Navy, Italian Army, Carabinieri, Red Cross, Civil Protection and other institutional actors. An emblematic example of this cooperation was the alarm launched on 8 April by the ferry ship Wind Rosewhich reported a terrorist attack on board, followed by the discovery of radioactive material. The response to this threat involved numerous departments, including the Multirole Exploitation and Reconnaissance Team (MERT) del 7° Reggimento Cremona dell’Esercito Italiano, impegnato nell’analisi e nella gestione della contaminazione.

La Risposta alla Minaccia CBRN – La Collaborazione Interforze

L’esercitazione ha mostrato la capacità della Difesa Italiana di gestire minacce CBRN con un approccio altamente integrato. La collaborazione tra le varie forze armate, le istituzioni e le agenzie civili è stata fondamentale per il successo delle operazioni. Dopo il rinvenimento di materiale contaminato sulla nave Wind Rose, le forze di soccorso hanno trasportato i feriti al sicuro e hanno avviato operazioni di ricerca per neutralizzare i responsabili del furto di sostanze chimiche. La sinergia tra la Brigata Marina San Marco, l’Esercito Italiano e le altre forze coinvolte ha permesso un’efficace risposta all’emergenza, con l’identificazione e il rinvenimento di una mappa che indicava l’area del previsto sversamento di sostanza chimica lungo il Tevere.

Il cuore dell’operazione si è spostato su un’azione “riverine” (fluviale), condotta in un ambiente notturno lungo il fiume Tevere, dove la Brigata Marina San Marco ha eseguito un intervento rapido ed efficace. Parallelamente, l’analisi scientifica della contaminazione è stata affidata ai Carabinieri del nucleo Radioattivi, che hanno collaborato con la Marina Militare per completare le operazioni di bonifica e acquisizione delle prove.

Questa complessa operazione ha messo in evidenza non solo la capacità di rispondere a emergenze CBRN, ma anche l’importanza di una gestione coesa e integrata delle risorse in scenari complessi, testando le procedure interforze e rafforzando la capacità di risposta collettiva.

CBRN Defence and the Role of the 7th Cremona Regiment

Countering CBRN threats in Italy also relies on the experience and capabilities of specialised units of the Italian Army, including the 7th CBRN Cremona Defence Regiment. This regiment is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and specialised tools to deal with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats in both national and international operations. Founded in 1923, the regiment has roots dating back to the First World War, when Italian units were victims of the use of toxic gases by the German army. Since then, the Italian Army has developed skills and technologies to deal with chemical, biological and nuclear warfare.

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, the 7th Regiment played a crucial role in supporting the National Health Service, carrying out molecular swabs and ensuring the sanitisation of healthcare facilities. Its ability to also operate in a civil context was further consolidated with the deployment in CBRN emergency protection and management activities, thanks to the continuous updating of technologies and operational procedures.

In the international arena, the regiment participates in NATO exercises and works with other armed forces to test sampling and identification capabilities for biological, chemical and radiological agents. In addition, the unit is involved in the creation of the CBRN Multirole Exploitation and Reconnaissance Teams (MERT), specialised teams that combine armed forces capabilities with civilian and inter-agency capabilities to manage complex emergency situations.

As modern operational scenarios evolve, CBRN units are called upon to constantly develop new capabilities to meet emerging challenges, collaborating not only with the armed forces but also with the scientific and industrial sectors. The commitment of the 7th Cremona Regiment, which today continues to train its personnel and innovate its equipment, is a concrete example of the importance of CBRN defence for national and international security.

Conclusion

Mare Aperto 2025 and CBRN operations in Italy are examples of the increasing complexity of the challenges facing the Italian Armed Forces in multi-domain scenarios. Cooperation between different entities, both military and civil, and the use of advanced technologies are crucial to ensure the protection of national security. Specialist units such as the 7th Cremona Regiment continue to evolve to respond to CBRN threats, demonstrating the effectiveness of training and preparation in complex operational contexts.

Source: https://www.marina.difesa.it/media-cultura/Notiziario-online/Pagine/20250418_Mare-Aperto-25_un_esercitazione-CBRN-Interforze-.aspx