Scorpion Legacy 2025: the Folgore leads international military cooperation

In recent days, the multinational exercise “Scorpion Legacy 2025” concluded in Romania, involving the “Savoia Cavalleria” regiment (3rd), an integral part of the Italian Army's “Folgore” parachute brigade. The event took place in the training areas of Smardan, Cincu, Frecatei, and Capu Midia, in a scenario entirely oriented towards warfighting, meaning the simulation of high-intensity and realistic combat.

“Scorpion Legacy” is the annual event of the Multinational Brigade South East (MNBDE-SE), and it was planned by the Romanian Ministry of Defense as part of NATO's Military Training Education Program (MTEP). The central objective of the exercise is to strengthen information sharing, standardization of procedures, and interoperability among the armed forces of the member and partner states of the Atlantic Alliance.

The Italian participation represented a significant strategic contribution. The “Savoia Cavalleria”, a historic unit of the Army, once again demonstrated its ability to operate in complex and multinational contexts, in line with the most modern operational doctrines.

Advanced training between technology and realism

The exercise initially included a Command Post Exercise (CPX), focused on conducting a high-intensity defensive operation. During this phase, the personnel of the “Savoia Cavalleria” operated in synergy with units from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Luxembourg, and Romania, in a complex and dynamic tactical scenario.

Subsequently, the training moved to the field with an extended Field Training Exercise (FTX), conducted with “opposing parties”. In this phase, the full potential of the Romanian training environment was exploited, including a zone specifically equipped for trench operations, or trench combat, useful for refining close defense techniques and coordination under pressure.

The entire exercise was supported by the MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System), a technology that simulates real combat and allows for real-time tracking, evaluation, and correction of the tactical actions of the units involved.

The training activities continued with an international shooting section, a joint shooting session accompanied by the exchange of weaponry among the participating forces. This type of exercise promotes mutual knowledge of the weapon systems and operational tactics employed by each army, while also fostering a sense of cohesion among the military personnel of different nations.

To conclude the exercise, a highly impactful Live Fire Exercise (LFX): a joint defensive maneuver employing a wide range of military vehicles including the Italian “Centauro” armored vehicles, the French “Leclerc” tanks, the Romanian “Piranha” vehicles, and the Spanish “Vamtac” vehicles. The complexity of this phase made the level of interoperability achieved tangible.

The Folgore, excellence of the Italian Army

The international military authorities present expressed strong appreciation for the Italian contribution, particularly for the professionalism demonstrated by the paratrooper cavalrymen of the “Savoia Cavalleria”. The participation of the “Folgore” represented an added value, both technically and humanly, contributing to further raising the operational standards of the MNBDE-SE.

The Folgore, considered one of the flagship units of the Italian Army, is a Large Combat Unit with specialist and versatile capabilities, able to operate according to the “full spectrum” principle: from rapid deployment in the operational theater, to defense missions, to support in complex multinational operations. Its distinctive features include maximum inter-arm integration, interforce collaboration, and multinational interoperability, all perfectly demonstrated during “Scorpion Legacy 2025”.

Beyond the operational aspect, exercises like this hold fundamental strategic importance: they indeed represent tools of military diplomacy, consolidate relations among allied armed forces, and promote stability in NATO's areas of interest.

In conclusion, the presence of the “Savoia Cavalleria” in Romania testifies to Italy's constant commitment to supporting collective security and international cooperation. Through the excellence of the “Folgore” and the effectiveness of its units, the Italian Army confirms its role as a protagonist in the Euro-Atlantic defense framework.