View source for Italian Navy

{{short description|Maritime warfare branch of Italy's military}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Italian Navy
| native_name                   = {{lang|it|Marina Militare}}
| image                         = Coat of arms of Marina Militare.svg
| image_size                    = 175
| caption                       = Coat of arms of the Italian Navy, displaying the coats of arms of former Italian [[Maritime Republic|maritime republics]] (clockwise from top left: [[Republic of Venice|Venice]], [[Republic of Genoa|Genoa]], [[Republic of Pisa|Pisa]] and [[Republic of Amalfi|Amalfi]])
| start_date                    = 1861 as ''[[Regia Marina]]'' (official) <br /> 1946 as ''Marina Militare''
| dates                         = 
| country                       = {{flag|Italy}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
| size                          = 29,300 personnel<br />184 vessels (incl. minor auxiliaries)<br />70 aircraft<ref>{{cite web |title=Rapporto Marina Militare 2023 |url=https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/Documents/rapporto%20marina%202023.pdf|website=www.marina.difesa.it |language=it}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Italian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = 
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| nickname                      = 
| motto                         = {{langx|it|Patria e Onore}}<br />"Motherland and Honour"
| patron                        = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = {{lang|it|La Ritirata}} ({{wikt-lang|it|ritirata}} is the return of soldiers to their barrack, or sailors to their ship after a leave) by Tommaso Mario
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = 
| equipment_label               = 
| battles                       = 
| anniversaries                 = 10 June – Sinking of the [[Austro-Hungarian]] battleship ''[[SMS Szent István]]'' by [[Luigi Rizzo]]
| decorations                   = 1 Cavalier Cross of the Military Order of Savoy<br /> 3 Cavalier's Crosses of the [[Military Order of Italy]]<br /> 2 [[Gold Medal of Military Valor|Gold Medals of Military Valor]]<br /> 1 [[Silver Medal of Military Valor]]<br /> 1 [[Gold Medal for Merited Public Honor]]
| battle_honours                = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = [[Ammiraglio di squadra]]<br /> [[Enrico Credendino]]
| commander1_label              = [[Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy]]
| commander2                    = [[Ammiraglio di squadra]]<br /> [[Claudio Gaudiosi]]
| commander2_label              = Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
| commander3                    = 
| commander3_label              = 
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Roundel of Italy – Low Visibility – Type 1.svg|50px]]&nbsp;[[File:Roundel of Italy – Naval Aviation.svg|50px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Roundels
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval Ensign of Italy.svg|200px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = [[#Naval ensign|Ensign]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Naval Jack of Italy.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Jack
| identification_symbol_4       = 
| identification_symbol_4_label = <!-- Aircraft -->
| aircraft_attack               = 
| aircraft_bomber               = 
| aircraft_electronic           = 
| aircraft_fighter              = 
| aircraft_helicopter           = 
| aircraft_interceptor          = 
| aircraft_patrol               = 
| aircraft_recon                = 
| aircraft_trainer              = 
| aircraft_transport            = 
}}

The '''Italian Navy''' ({{langx|it|Marina Militare||Military Navy}}; abbreviated as '''MM''') is one of the four branches of [[Italian Armed Forces]] and was formed in 1946 from what remained of the ''[[Regia Marina]]'' (Royal Navy) after World War II. {{As of|2014|08}}, the Italian Navy had a strength of 30,923 active personnel, with approximately 198 vessels in service, including minor auxiliary vessels. It is considered a multiregional and a [[blue-water navy]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=he5KL_tWQvMC|title=Navies and Shipbuilding Industries: The Strained Symbiosis|first1=Daniel|last1=Todd|first2=Michael|last2=Lindberg|date=May 14, 1996|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|isbn=9780275953102|access-date=May 14, 2018|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Till|first1=Geoffrey|title=Seapower: A Guide for the Twenty-First Century|date=2 Aug 2004|publisher=Routledge|location=London|isbn=9781135756789|pages=113–120|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CNgIbiDghI4C&q=Seapower%3A%20A%20Guide%20for%20the%20Twenty-First%20Century%202004|access-date=15 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=Coffey>{{cite book|last1=Coffey|first1=Joseph I.|title=The Atlantic Alliance and the Middle East|date=1989|publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press|location=United States|isbn=9780822911548|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RmttAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Atlantic+Alliance+and+the+Middle+East|access-date=30 November 2015}}</ref>

==History==

===Before and during World War II===
{{main|Regia Marina}}
The ''[[Regia Marina]]'' was formed on 17 March 1861, after the [[proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy]].<ref>{{cite news |title=151° anniversario della Marina Militare all'insegna della solidarietà e della sobrietà |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/media-cultura/press-room/comunicati/Pagine/2012_15.aspx |access-date=28 May 2020 |agency=Ministero della Difesa Marina Militare |date=6 June 2012 |language=it}}</ref> The Italian Navy assumed its present name after the Italian monarchy was abolished following a popular referendum held on 2 June 1946.

===After World War II===

At the end of its five years involvement in [[World War II]], Italy was a devastated nation. After the end of hostilities, the ''Regia Marina'' – which at the beginning of the war was the fourth largest navy in the world, with a mix of modernised and new battleships – started a long and complex rebuilding process. The important combat contributions of the Italian naval forces after the signing of the armistice with the Allies on 8 September 1943, and the subsequent cooperation agreement on 23 September 1943, left the Regia Marina in a poor condition, with much of its infrastructure and bases unusable and its ports mined and blocked by sunken ships. However, a large number of its naval units had survived the war, albeit in a low efficiency state, which was due to the conflict and the age of many vessels. The vessels that remained were:
* 5 battleships
* 10 cruisers
* 10 destroyers
* 20 frigates
* 20 corvettes
* 50 fast coastal patrol units
* 50 [[minesweeper]]s
* 19 amphibious operations vessels
* 5 [[school ship]]s
* 1 support ship and plane transport

===The peace treaty===

The [[Treaty of Peace with Italy, 1947|peace treaty]] signed on 10 February 1947 in Paris was onerous for Regia Marina. Apart from territorial and material losses, also the following restrictions were imposed:
* A ban on owning, building or experimenting with atomic weapons, self-propulsion projectiles or relative launchers, etc.
* A ban on owning battleships, aircraft carriers, submarines and amphibious assault units.
* A ban on operating military installations on the islands of [[Pantelleria]], [[Pianosa]] and on the archipelago of the [[Pelagie Islands]].

[[File:CV Aquila LaSpezia Jun51 NAN5-63.jpg|thumb|right|Aircraft carrier {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Aquila||2}} just before being scrapped in [[La Spezia]], 1951]]

The treaty also ordered Italy to put the following ships at the disposals of the victorious nations United States, [[Soviet Union]], Great Britain, France, [[Greece]], [[Yugoslavia]] and [[Albania]] as war compensation:
* 3 battleships: ''Giulio Cesare'', ''Italia'', ''Vittorio Veneto'';
* 5 cruisers: ''Emanuele Filiberto Duca d'Aosta'', ''Attilio Regolo'', ''Scipione Africano'', ''Eugenio di Savoia'' and ''Eritrea'';
* 7 destroyers, 5 of the {{sclass2|Soldati|destroyer|4}} and ''Augusto Riboty'' and ''Alfredo Oriani'';
* 6 minesweepers: like ''Aliseo'' and ''Fortunale'';
* 8 submarines: 3 of the ''Acciaio'' class;
* 1 sailing school ship: ''Cristoforo Colombo''.

===The entry into NATO===
{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2017}}

Great changes in the international political situation, which were developing into the Cold War, convinced the United Kingdom and United States to discontinue the transfer of Italy's capital ships as war reparations. Some had already been dismantled in [[La Spezia]] between 1948 and 1955, including the aircraft carrier {{ship|Italian aircraft carrier|Aquila||2}}. However, the [[Soviet Union]] demanded the surrender of the battleship ''Giulio Cesare'' and other naval units designated for transfer. The [[cruiser]]s ''Attilio Regolo'' and ''Scipione Africano'' became the French ''Chateaurenault'' and ''Guichen'', while ''{{ship|Italian cruiser|Eugenio di Savoia||2}}'' became the Greek ''Elli''. After break up and transfers, only a small part of the fleet remained to be recommissioned into the Marina. As Western attention turned to the Soviets and the [[Mediterranean Sea]], Italian seas became one of the main sites of confrontation between the two superpowers, contributing to the re-emergence of Italy's naval importance thanks to her strategic geographical position.

[[File:Carriers Cavour (550) - Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Charles de Gaulle (R91) underway in 2013.JPG|thumb|The [[Italian aircraft carrier Cavour|carrier ''Cavour'']] in the [[Gulf of Oman]], 2013]]

With the new elections in 1946, the Kingdom of Italy became a republic, and the Regia Marina took the name of ''Marina Militare'' ({{literally|Military Navy}}). As the [[Marshall Plan]] began to rebuild Italy and Europe was rapidly being divided into two geopolitically antagonistic blocs, Italy began talks with the United States to guarantee adequate security considerations. The US government in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]] wished to keep its own installations on the [[Italian Peninsula]] and relaxed the Treaty restrictions by including Italy in the Mutual Defense Assistance Programme (MDAP). On 4 April 1949, Italy joined the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]] (NATO) and, in order for the navy to contribute actively in the organization, the Treaty restrictions were definitively repealed by the end of 1951, with the consent of all of Western nations.

Within NATO, the Italian Navy was assigned combat control of the [[Adriatic Sea]] and [[Strait of Otranto]], as well as the defence of the naval routes through the [[Tyrrhenian Sea]]. To ensure these tasks a {{lang|la|Studio sul potenziamento della Marina italiana in relazione al Patto Atlantico}} (Study on the development of the Italian Navy with reference to the Atlantic Pact) was undertaken, which researched the structures and the methods for the development of the navy.

==Naval ensign==
[[File:Naval Ensign of Italy.svg|thumb|Naval ensign of Italy]]

The [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]] of the Italian Navy is the [[flag of Italy]] bearing the coat of arms of the Italian Navy. The shield's quarters refer to the four Medieval Italian [[Maritime Republics]]:

* 1st quarter: on red, a golden winged lion (the [[lion of St. Mark]]) wielding a sword ([[Republic of Venice]])
* 2nd quarter: on white field, red cross, the [[Saint George's Cross]] ([[Republic of Genoa]])
* 3rd quarter: on blue field, white [[Maltese cross]] ([[Republic of Amalfi]])
* 4th quarter: on red field, white [[Pisan cross]] ([[Republic of Pisa]])

The coat of arms is surmounted by a golden crown, which distinguishes military vessels from those of the merchant navy.

The crown, {{lang|la|corona [[rostrata]]}}, was proposed in 1939 as a conjectural link to the [[Roman navy]] by Admiral [[Domenico Cavagnari]], then a member of the [[Chamber of Fasces and Corporations]] in the Fascist government. In the proposal, Adm. Cavagnari wrote that "in order to recall the common origin [of the Navy] from the Roman mariners, the Insignia will be surmounted by the towered Crown with {{lang|la|[[rostrum (ship)|rostra]]}}, the emblem of honour and valour the [[Roman Senate]] awarded to the leaders of naval victories, conquerors of lands and cities across the seas".

A further difference is that St. Mark's lion, symbolising the Republic of Venice, does not hold the gospel in its paw (as it does on [[flag of the Republic of Venice|the civil ensign]], where the book is open at the words "{{lang|la|Pax tibi Marce, evangelista meus}}", meaning "peace to you, Mark, my evangelist") and is wielding a sword instead: such an image is consistent with the pictorial tradition from Venetian history, in which the book is shown open during peacetime and closed during wartime.

==Structure and organisation==
===Organization===
{{Main|Structure of the Italian Navy}}

In 2012 the Navy began a restructuring process that will see a 21% decrease in personnel by 2025. A new structure was implemented in January 2014.<ref name="NavyOrg">{{cite web | url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/organizzazione/Pagine/organigrammaMM.aspx | title=Organizzazione | publisher=Italian Navy | access-date=September 1, 2016}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position !! Italian title !! Rank !! Incumbent
|-
| [[Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy|Chief of Staff of the Navy]] || {{lang|it|Capo di Stato Maggiore della Marina}} || [[Vice Admiral]] || [[Enrico Credendino]]
|-
| Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy  || {{lang|it|Sottocapo di Stato Maggiore della Marina}} || [[Vice Admiral]] ||  Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.osservatorelibero.it/2021/12/18/marina-squadra-navale-de-carolis-nuovo-comandante-in-capo/ | title=Marina, Squadra Navale: De Carolis nuovo Comandante in capo | date=December 17, 2021 }}</ref>
|-
| [[Commander in Chief Naval Fleet]] || {{lang|it|Comandante in Capo della Squadra Navale}} (CINCNAV) || Vice Admiral || [[Aurelio De Carolis]]
|-
| Commander Schools Command || {{lang|it|Comandante Scuole}} (MARICOMSCUOLE) || Vice Admiral || Antonio Natale<ref>[https://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/pilastro-addestrativo/Pagine/comandante.aspx Ammiraglio di Squadra Antonio Natale] Retrieved 8 March 2023</ref>
|-
| Commander Logistics Command || {{lang|it|Comandante Logistico}} (MARICOMLOG) || Vice Admiral || Salvatore Vitiello<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/noi-siamo-la-marina/pilastro-logistico/Pagine/comandante.aspx|title=Comandante del Comando Logistico della Marina Militare - Marina Militare|website=www.marina.difesa.it}}</ref>
|-
|
: Commander Maritime Command North
|| {{lang|it|Comandante del Comando Marittimo Nord}} (MARINANORD) || [[Rear Admiral]] || [[Giorgio Lazio]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/organizzazione/comandienti/dipartimentali/mdpt_spezia/Pagine/cinc.aspx |title=Il Comandante – Marina Militare|website=marina.difesa.it|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref>
|-
|
: Commander Maritime Command South
|| {{lang|it|Comandante del Comando Marittimo Sud}} (MARINASUD) || Rear Admiral || [[Eduardo Serra (admiral)|Eduardo Serra]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/conosciamoci/organizzazione/comandienti/dipartimentali/mdipart_ta/Pagine/cinc.aspx |title=Comandante del Comando Marittimo Sud – Marina Militare|website=marina.difesa.it|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tarantobuonasera.it/taranto-news/cronaca/399181/news.aspx|title=Marina Militare, cambio al vertice Le foto|website=tarantobuonasera.it|access-date=May 14, 2018}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
|-
|
: Commander Maritime Command Sicily
|| {{lang|it|Comandante del Comando Marittimo Sicilia}} (MARISICILIA) || Rear Admiral || [[Nicola De Felice]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.siracusanews.it/node/55509 |title=Augusta, Cambia Il Vertice del Comando Marittimo Sicilia: De Felice Prende Il Posto di Camerini &#124; Siracusa News |access-date=January 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150627234620/http://www.siracusanews.it/node/55509 |archive-date=June 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
|-
|
: Commander Maritime Command Rome 
|| {{lang|it|Comandante del Comando Marittimo Capitale}} (MARICAPITALE) || Rear Admiral || 
|-
| [[Raiders and Divers Grouping "Teseo Tesei"|Raiders and Divers Grouping]]|| {{lang|it|Comandante Raggruppamento Subacquei ed Incursori}} (COMSUBIN) || Rear Admiral || Paolo Pezzuti
|}

===Coast Guard===
The [[Corps of the Port Captaincies – Coast Guard]] ({{lang|it|Corpo delle Capitanerie di porto – Guardia costiera}}) is the [[coast guard]] of Italy and is part of the Italian Navy under the control of the [[Ministry of Infrastructures and Transports (Italy)|Ministry of Infrastructures and Transports]], the [[Ministry of the Environment (Italy)|Ministry of the Environment]], the [[Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies (Italy)|Ministry of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies]], as well as the [[Ministry of Defence (Italy)|Ministry of Defence]]. In Italy, it is commonly known as simply the ''Guardia costiera'' or ''Capitaneria di Porto''. The Coast Guard has approximately 11,000 staff.
<ref name="CG">{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/coastguard/Pagine/default.aspx |title=Coast Guard – Port Authorities|publisher=Italian Navy|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>

===Corps===
The Italian Navy is divided into six corps (by precedence):

* {{lang|it|Corpo di stato maggiore}} – Staff Officers Corps (SM): [[line officer]]s
* {{lang|it|Corpo del genio della Marina}} – [[Corps of Naval Engineering|Naval Engineers Corps]] (GM)
** {{lang|it|Specialità genio navale}} – Marine engineering branch (GM/GN): [[engineer officer]]s
** {{lang|it|Specialità armi navali}} – Naval ordnance branch (GM/AN): weapon engineer officers
** {{lang|it|Specialità genio infrastrutture}} – Infrastructure engineering (GM/INFR): [[civil engineer]] officers
* {{lang|it|Corpo sanitario militare marittimo}} – Maritime Military Medical Corps: (MD) for medics, (FM) for pharmacists
* {{lang|it|Corpo di commissariato militare marittimo}} – Military Maritime Supply Corps (CM): [[purser|administration]], [[paymaster]], [[legal executive]], [[supply officer|supply]], [[logistics officer]]
* {{lang|it|Corpo delle capitanerie di porto}} – [[Corps of the Port Captaincies – Coast Guard|Port Captaincies Corps]] (CP): the coast guard
* {{lang|it|Corpo degli equipaggi militari marittimi}} – Military Maritime Crews Corps (CEMM)

===Fleet===
Command of the Italian Fleet (ships, submarines and amphibious forces) and [[Italian Navy Aviation|Naval aviation]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/airfleet/Pagine/aviazionenavaleoggi.aspx |title=The Present Aviation – Marina Militare|website=marina.difesa.it|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref> falls under the [[Commander in Chief Naval Fleet]].

==Equipment==

===Ships and submarines===
{{Main|List of active Italian Navy ships|List of decommissioned ships of the Italian Navy}}

Today's Italian Navy is a modern navy with ships of every type. The fleet is in continuous evolution, and as of today oceangoing fleet units include: 

* 1 light [[aircraft carrier]]
* 4 [[amphibious assault ship]]s
* 3 [[destroyer]]s
* 14 [[frigate]]s 
* 8 [[attack submarine]]s
* 4 [[auxiliary ship|auxiliary ships]]
Hydrographic Naval Squadron includes:
* 3 hydrographic Ships 
* 2 research vessels operated in cooperation with NATO STO CMRE

Patrol and littoral warfare units include: 

* 9 [[patrol boat|offshore patrol vessels]]
* 10 [[mine countermeasure vessel]]s
* 6 coastal [[patrol boat]]s 

and a varied fleet of [[auxiliary ship]]s are also in service.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/thefleet/Pagine/default.aspx |title=The Fleet – Marina Militare|website=marina.difesa.it|access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref>

The flagship of the fleet is the [[Italian aircraft carrier Cavour|carrier ''Cavour'']].

===Aircraft===
{{Main|List of active Italian military aircraft#Italian Naval Aviation}}
{{see also|Italian Naval Aviation}}
The Italian Navy operates a diverse fleet of aircraft including fixed-wing, rotary and UAVs. 
<gallery widths="200" mode="packed">
File:Il primo F-35B della Marina Militare in volo.jpg|[[F-35B]]
File:Marina Militare AV-8B Harrier II.jpg|[[McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II|AV-8B Harrier II]]
File:NH Industries NH-90NFH, Italy - Navy JP7306250.jpg|[[NHIndustries NH90|SH-90A]]
File:Agusta-Westland EH-101-410 Merlin, Italy - Navy JP7306257.jpg|[[AgustaWestland AW101|EH-101-410 Merlin]]
File:Schiebel Camcopter S-100 at ILA 2010.jpg|[[Schiebel Camcopter S-100|Camcopter S-100]]
</gallery>

== Future ==
* 1× [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|''Bergamini''-class]] GP-enhanced (GP-e, General Purpose with Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities) frigates, being built to replace two vessels from the Italian FREMM-class build program that were transferred to Egypt in 2020 and 2021; delivery is anticipated in the 2025–26 period.<ref name="navalnews1">{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/11/new-ships-submarines-and-weapon-systems-for-italian-navy/|title=New ships, submarines and weapon systems for Italian Navy |website=Naval News |date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>
* 2× [[FREMM multipurpose frigate|''Bergamini''-class]] EVO (ASW) frigates; delivery is anticipated in the 2029–30 period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/07/orrizonte-sistemi-navali-signs-e1-5-billion-contract-for-two-fremm-evo-frigates-for-the-italian-navy/ |title=Orrizonte Sistemi Navali Signs €1.5 Billion Contract For Two "FREMM EVO" Frigates for the Italian Navy |website=Naval News |date=November 23, 2020}}</ref>

The 2014 Naval Act allocated €5.4&nbsp;billion for the following vessels:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/EN/facts/Pagine/naval-program-2014.aspx |title=Naval Program 2014 |work=Marina Militare |publisher=Ministero Della Difensa |access-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref>
* 7× {{sclass|Thaon di Revel|offshore patrol vessel|0}} [[offshore patrol vessel]]/[[frigate]]— 4× commissioned <ref name="LDIS">{{cite web |title=Linee di indirizzo strategico 2019–2034 |url=http://www.marina.difesa.it/media-cultura/editoria/marivista/Documents/Linee_indirizzo_strategico_2019_2034.pdf |work=Marina Militare |publisher=Stato Maggiore della Marina |access-date=11 November 2019 |archive-date=July 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723091642/http://www.marina.difesa.it/media-cultura/editoria/marivista/Documents/Linee_indirizzo_strategico_2019_2034.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2017 budget allocated €12.8&nbsp;billion (2017–2032 years) for the following ships:
* 1× [[Italian ship USSP|Special & Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship]] (SOD – SuRS),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fincantieri.com/en/products-and-services/naval-vessels/logistic-support-ships/|title=Fincantieri – Logistic Support Ships|website=fincantieri.com|access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=April 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180420074147/https://www.fincantieri.com/en/products-and-services/naval-vessels/logistic-support-ships/|url-status=dead}}</ref> to replace the [[submarine rescue ship]] {{ship|Italian ship|Anteo|A 5309|2}}
* 1× [[Italian ship UIOM|Major Hydro-oceanographic Ship]] (NIOM),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fincantieri.com/en/products-and-services/naval-vessels/hydrographic-survey-vessel/|title=Fincantieri – Hydrographic Survey Vessel|website=fincantieri.com|access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=May 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514213434/https://www.fincantieri.com/en/products-and-services/naval-vessels/hydrographic-survey-vessel/|url-status=dead}}</ref> to replace the [[hydrographic survey]] vessel {{ship|Italian ship|Ammiraglio Magnaghi|A 5303|2}}
* 12× minehunters to replace the [[Lerici-class minehunter|''Lerici'' and ''Gaeta''-class]] minehunters:<ref name="LDIS"/>
** 8× Cacciamine Nuova Generazione-Costieri (CNG-C, New Generation Minehunter – Coastal) for homeland security roles (about 800 t and 57 m)
** 4× Cacciamine Nuova Generazione-Altura (CNG-A, New Generation Minehunter – Ocean-going) for expeditionary roles (about 1,300 t and 75–80 m)
* 8× [[European Patrol Corvette]]s in a joint program with France (about 3,200 t)<ref name="LDIS"/>

The 2018 budget allocated about €1 billion for:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.themeditelegraph.com/it/shipping/shipyard-and-offshore/2018/02/03/pinotti-italia-avra-altri-due-sommergibili-HCUAac89XmPOtp4q9h5uwL/index.html|title=Pinotti: "L'Italia avrà altri due sommergibili" |work=The Medi Telegraph |language=it |trans-title=Pinotti: «Italy will have two more submarines» |access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316211008/http://www.themeditelegraph.com/it/shipping/shipyard-and-offshore/2018/02/03/pinotti-italia-avra-altri-due-sommergibili-HCUAac89XmPOtp4q9h5uwL/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 4 x [[U212 NFS submarine|U212NFS]] [[attack submarine]]s, for commissioning in 2027–2029–2030–2032.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2021/02/italys-u212nfs-near-future-submarine-contract-signed/|title = Italy's U212NFS Near Future Submarine Contract Signed |work=Naval News |date = February 26, 2021}}</ref> In December 2022, an amended contract was signed for production of a third NFS Submarine based on the design of the previous two submarines. The third Submarine (NFS 3) is planned to be delivered at the end of 2030, while a contract for the fourth boat was signed in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/06/28/italy-signs-deal-for-final-submarine-in-four-strong-u-212-nfs-series/ |title=Italy signs deal for final submarine in four-strong U-212 NFS series |work=Defense News |last=Kington |first=Tom |date=28 June 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/12/u212-nfs-near-future-submarine-2nd-contract-amendment-awarded/ |title=U212 NFS (Near Future Submarine) 2nd Contract Amendment Awarded |work=Naval News |date=December 26, 2022}}</ref>

The "Documento Programmatico Pluriennale 2021–2023" funds the following ships:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forzearmate.org/difesa-approvato-il-documento-programmatico-pluriennale-2021-2023/|title = Difesa: Approvato il Documento Programmatico Pluriennale 2021–2023 |website=Forze Armate.org |language=it |trans-title=Defense: The 2021-2023 Multi-Year Programme Document has been approved |date = August 5, 2021}}</ref>
* 2× 11,000-ton [[DDX-class]] destroyers, a development of the {{sclass2|Horizon|frigate|4}} to replace the {{sclass|Durand de la Penne|destroyer|0}} [[guided missile destroyer]]s by 2028 to 2030<ref name="LDIS"/><ref name="navalnews1"/>
* 3× {{sclass|Vulcano|logistic support ship|1}}s, to replace [[Stromboli-class replenishment oiler|''Vesuvio'']] and {{ship|Italian ship|Etna|A 5326|2}}<ref name="LDIS"/> (increased to four ships under Defence Planning Document 2023–2025)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/italian-mods-defence-planning-document-2023-2025-new-naval-and-joint-programs/ | title=Italian MoD's Defence Planning Document 2023-2025: New Naval And Joint Programs |website=Naval News | last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
* 1× UBOS, diving support vessel
* 10× MTC, coastal transport vessels to replace the {{sclass|Gorgona|transport ship|4}} and {{sclass|Ponza|transport ship|4}}
* 4× training vessels
* MLU Mid-Life Update of the Horizon-class destroyers
* 3 OPV (FCX-20 variant of Fincantieri's FCX; about 2300 tons) ordered August 2023 + 3 ships in option <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/naval-weapons/latest/orizzonte-sistemi-navali-receives-contract-for-new-italian-navy-opvs |title=Orizzonte Sistemi Navali receives contract for new Italian Navy OPVs |website=Janes |last=Tringham |first=Kate |date=3 August 2023}}</ref>

Planned:
* 2× [[amphibious transport dock]]s, to [[San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock#Replacement class|replace]] the {{sclass|San Giorgio|amphibious transport dock}}s (about 16,500 t) in 2028–2030 period<ref name="LDIS"/><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/11/italian-mods-defence-planning-document-2023-2025-new-naval-and-joint-programs/ | title=Italian MoD's Defence Planning Document 2023–2025: New Naval And Joint Programs |website=Naval News | last=Peruzzi |first=Luca |date=20 November 2023 |access-date=20 November 2023}}</ref>
* 1× [[Spy ship|electronic surveillance ship]] to add to the existing {{ship|Italian ship|Elettra|A 5340|2}}<ref name="LDIS"/>
* 1× submarine and minehunter support ship<ref name="LDIS"/>

For the [[Italian Navy Aviation|Naval Aviation]] the Navy plans to expand or replace the following assets:<ref name="LDIS"/>
* 9× [[maritime patrol aircraft]] (currently 4 x [[ATR 72]]MP in service)
* 30× heavy helicopters (currently 22 x [[AgustaWestland AW101|AW101]] in service) 
* 12× light utility helicopters, a new acquisition of [[AgustaWestland AW169|AW169]] helicopters
* 16× tactical [[unmanned aerial vehicle]]s (currently 10 x [[Boeing Insitu ScanEagle|ScanEagle]] in service)

For the [[San Marco Marine Brigade]], the Navy plans to acquire following assets:<ref name="LDIS"/>
* 72× [[Iveco SuperAV]] amphibious 8x8 combat vehicles (36 vehicles ordered December 2022)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/01/italian-navy-orders-36-amphibious-armoured-vehicles/ |title=Italian Navy orders 36 Amphibious Armoured Vehicles |work=Naval News |date=January 11, 2023}}</ref>
* 90× [[GFF4|VTMM Orso]] armored 4x4 vehicles
* Italy could be interested in the [[Baykar Bayraktar TB3|Bayraktar TB3]] drone for its aircraft carriers [[Italian aircraft carrier Cavour|Cavour]] and Trieste.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-03-07 |title=İtalya, Baykar ve Leonardo ortaklığı sonrası Bayraktar TB3 ile ilgilenebilir |url=https://www.donanimhaber.com/italya-dev-ortakligin-ardindan-bayraktar-tb3-ile-ilgilenebilir--188682 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=DonanımHaber |language=tr}}</ref>

==Rank structure==
{{Main|Italian Navy ranks}}
===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Italy}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Italy}}
|}

==See also==
* [[Italian Armed Forces]]
* [[Uniforms of the Italian Armed Forces]]
* [[Gruppo Sportivo della Marina Militare]]
* [[List of active Italian Navy ships]]
* [[List of decommissioned ships of the Italian Navy]]
* [[Regia Marina]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Navies of Italy}}
* [http://www.marina.difesa.it Marina Militare official site]
* [https://medium.com/teatime-history/the-greatest-victory-of-the-italian-navy-0b86991b82ac The Greatest Victory of the Italian Navy]

{{Italy topics}}
{{Italian Military}}
{{Italian Navy}}
{{Ship classes of the Marina Militare}}
{{Navies in Europe}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Italian Navy| ]]
[[Category:Marina Militare]]
[[Category:1946 establishments in Italy]]
[[Category:History of Italy]]