Italian Carrier Strike Group Embarks on Historic Indo-Pacific Deployment

An Italian carrier strike group is making its first deployment to the Indo-Pacific, participating in exercises with U.S. allies in Australia and planning to travel through the South China Sea to the Philippines. The mission aims to enhance training and regional understanding while performing humanitarian work in the Philippines.

An Italian carrier strike group is on its inaugural deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, where it will traverse the South China Sea en route to the Philippines. Following war games with U.S. allies in Australia, the group aims to bolster training and regional knowledge, said a senior Italian navy official on Thursday.

This move comes amid heightened tensions between China and several neighboring countries in the disputed South China Sea. About 40% of Europe's trade passes through this area, which is a flashpoint for joint exercises by the U.S., Japan, Australia, and other nations aiming to uphold navigation freedom. China asserts dominion over almost the entire waterway.

The Italian aircraft carrier Cavour, currently in Darwin, Australia, is participating in Exercise Pitch Black, contributing nearly two dozen fighter jets to the 20-nation drill hosted by Australia. Participating allies include the United States, Britain, Japan, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea. Remarkably, it's the first instance of an aircraft carrier joining these exercises.

Twenty-three Italian jets, including eight stealth F-35Bs, are engaging in various military maneuvers over northern Australia's mostly uninhabited land. Captain Dario Castelli hailed the exercise for its logistical challenges and for enabling close cooperation among F-35 users.

Upon conclusion of these exercises on Aug. 2, the 1,200-strong carrier strike group will proceed to Guam and Japan, before transiting the South China Sea to the Philippines for the first time. The Cavour will perform humanitarian operations, including surgeries for children, while docked in Manila, said Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina.

Though not planning any freedom of navigation operations, Ciappina highlighted the strategic influence of an aircraft carrier's presence. He noted the growing friction between Manila and Beijing over the strategic South China Sea features within Manila's exclusive economic zone.

Ciappina emphasized that this deployment has enhanced the Italian Navy's training and regional understanding. Coordinated with the French and British navies, it ensures significant naval capacity in the Mediterranean while extending presence to the Pacific.

(With inputs from agencies.)