In the new issue of the magazine ID – Defense Information An interesting interview with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone has been published, who, starting from next January, will assume the prestigious role of President of the NATO Military Committee.
Below, we report an extensive excerpt.
In relation to your role as chief of the Italian Defense General Staff, tell us some events that you remember in particular, in reference to the four Armed Forces and our country’s commitments in the international context.
In the context of joint and multi-domain exercises, I remember with particular satisfaction the many exercises of the Italian Army and in particular the Alpine Star, where our soldiers carried out complex operational activities aimed at increasing interoperability between armies of different nationalities, in an attempt to refine the procedures for fighting together in a mountain environment. Going back to the years of my mandate, the international exercise of November 2021 also comes to mind when Navy and Air Force F-35Bs from the same deck of the aircraft carrier Cavour carried out joint exercises with a British naval group, led by the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth and with US Marine Corps F-35Bs. On that occasion I was able to appreciate the excellent capabilities achieved by the Navy and Air Force F-35s in the process of developing the national aerial projection capability from the sea. A capacity that has allowed our country to be the only one capable of guaranteeing this contribution within the European Union. A similar demonstration of extreme operational flexibility and complex projection capacity, across the border in areas distant from Italian bases, was given by the Pitch Black 2024 exercise, which ended last August and saw 20 nations from all over the world train in new and complex scenarios operational. Not only abroad but also in Italy, our Armed Forces manage to express an undisputed professionalism that is highly appreciated by the entire community. In particular, our Carabinieri are unique and irreplaceable operators because they are widespread throughout the national territory. The first to intervene to support the population in cases of public disasters: the images of our women and men of the force recently engaged in Emilia Romagna come to mind. Not only competing with the other Armed Forces in emergencies due to climate change but also and above all on the front line to fight corruption and criminal organizations that undermine safety on the streets of our cities. I am reminded of the many visits I have made to our Carabinieri to personally thank them for what they do and how they do it. I remember, with particular affection, the visit made to Calabria where I met all the departments operating in those lands, such as the heliborne Carabinieri Squadron “Cacciatori di Calabria”, a highly specialized military component dedicated to fighting crime in a territory whose orography requires specializations different from the ordinary.
Can you tell us what it means for you to take on the delicate role of President of the NATO Military Committee, in a historical moment where the winds of war are blowing right in the center of Europe?
Taking on the role of Chairman of the NATO Military Committee represents a crucial commitment at a particularly delicate historical moment, where global and regional tensions are on the rise, and the collective security of the Alliance is constantly put to the test. For me, it is first and foremost a great honor, not only on a personal level, but for the entire Italian defense system, which has always demonstrated its solidity and its significant contribution within NATO. The conflict in Ukraine has brought war back to the heart of Europe, presenting NATO with new challenges, but also with the urgency of strengthening its founding principles: the defense of the values of democracy and freedom that unite the member countries. NATO today finds itself in a rapidly changing geopolitical context, where threats arise on several fronts. International terrorism, political instability in areas such as North Africa, and the unrealistic ambitions of global powers require a response that cannot be limited to a single operational theater. The expansion of NATO operations beyond the Euro-Atlantic perimeter becomes fundamental to protect its interests and ensure global security. In particular, Africa and the Greater Mediterranean are areas of growing concern, with the increase in activities of our adversaries and the presence of terrorist groups and paramilitary movements further destabilizing the region.
Nuclear threat, hybrid threats, such as cyberattacks and disinformation, new environments to monitor such as the underwater one. How should we prepare to continue to be deterrents?
New threats are increasingly hybrid and complex. Cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns and asymmetric warfare require technological and strategic adaptation. We must strengthen cyber defense and increase the resilience of our countries’ critical infrastructure. The capacity for deterrence can no longer be based solely on conventional tools: the wars of the future will also be fought in cyberspace, in the underwater and cognitive environments, areas which are, therefore, assuming growing strategic importance. We must, therefore, invest in advanced technologies, such as underwater drones, to monitor shipping routes and protect underwater cables from potential sabotage.
How important is it, in your opinion, to strengthen cooperation between organizations such as NATO and the European Union, in terms of defense and security?
Collaboration between NATO and the European Union on security and defense is essential to address new global threats. NATO has a central role in collective security, while the EU can contribute resources and capabilities. The Ukrainian crisis has shown how cooperation between these two organizations is crucial for a coordinated response, both on a military, economic and diplomatic level. This is not only for the defense of the European continent, but also for stability in global crisis areas, such as the Indo-Pacific, North Africa and the Sahel, where security missions must be integrated and, above all, harmonized with new strategic partners.
Technological innovations are transforming the way conflicts are addressed. What do you think will be the key technologies to maintain a credible strategic advantage against possible adversaries?
Military technology is revolutionizing the way we wage war and we will need to keep pace with advances in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, automation and hypersonic systems. Cyber defense becomes a determining factor in maintaining a strategic advantage over our adversaries who are investing heavily in destructive technologies. No less important is the development of autonomous systems for reconnaissance and defense, such as drones and unmanned vehicles, which can operate in hostile environments without endangering human lives. These technologies not only improve the effectiveness of operations, but also reduce response times, increasing the ability to act preventively.
How important is the integration of the Armed Forces of the various countries in terms of training and equipment, but above all in operations where today it is required to be able to mobilize and move, in a short time, enormous quantities of men and vehicles?
The interoperability of the Armed Forces is fundamental to guarantee the efficiency of equipment and systems, but also the ability to integrate decision-making and operational processes during joint missions. Periodic military exercises allow us to test operational readiness and rapid mobilization of forces. In an era of sudden threats, the ability to quickly move large quantities of troops and materials is crucial to deterring potential attackers and responding to crises in a timely manner. Logistics infrastructure, air support and communications network must be constantly improved to ensure credible and highly deterrent force projection.
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