An Italian carrier strike group, on its maiden deployment to the Indo-Pacific region, will navigate through the South China Sea to the Philippines after engaging in military exercises with US allies in Australia, a senior Italian navy official announced on Thursday.
This movement occurs amid escalating tensions between China and neighboring countries over the disputed South China Sea.
Approximately 40% of Europe’s foreign trade passes through this region, where the United States, Japan, Australia, and other nations have conducted joint maritime exercises to uphold freedom of navigation. China asserts claims over nearly the entire strategic waterway.
The Italian aircraft carrier Cavour is currently in Darwin, northern Australia, participating in Exercise Pitch Black.
Italy is contributing nearly two dozen fighter jets to the 20-nation drills hosted by Australia. The United States, Britain, Japan, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea are also involved.
This marks the first time an aircraft carrier has joined the exercises, according to Italian Navy Rear Admiral Giancarlo Ciappina.
Ciappina stated that his strike group does not intend to conduct freedom of navigation operations. The Cavour will undertake humanitarian work in the Philippines, including performing surgery on children in the ship’s hospital while docked in Manila.
“An aircraft carrier—just being present somewhere, it has an effect, it can influence. It is a very powerful tool,” Ciappina said.
Manila and Beijing have frequently clashed over jurisdiction, with the Philippines contesting China’s permanent presence around strategic features within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.
Ciappina noted that the Italian Navy’s first Indo-Pacific deployment has enhanced its training and provided a deeper understanding of the region.
While this deployment is not a NATO initiative, Italy has coordinated with the French Navy and Britain’s Royal Navy, which will send ships to the region later in the year, to ensure significant capacity remains in the Mediterranean.
“Everything is connected… that’s why we have to also be present in the Pacific now,” he said.