COMSUBIN: The Shield on Italian Strategic Infrastructures. Special exercises to address new threats.

In a geopolitical landscape where "hybrid warfare" is no longer an academic hypothesis from strategic studies textbooks, but a reality made up of drones, gas pipeline sabotage, and threats to undersea cables, the Italian Navy is raising its guard. It's no longer just a matter of "defending the borders," but of ensuring the country's economic survival by protecting energy and trade flows.

It is in this context, decidedly not very reassuring but terribly real, that COMSUBIN (Comando Raggruppamento Subacquei e Incursori “Teseo Tesei”) has intensified its activities, as confirmed by recent communications from Palazzo Marina relating to the end of 2025. The message is clear: an attack on a commercial vessel or an offshore platform is not an accident, it is a systemic risk that can bring Italian energy security to its knees.

The two souls of Varignano: GOI and GOS

For the uninitiated, COMSUBIN, based in the historic Varignano fortress (La Spezia), is the spearhead of our Special Forces ^. It is divided into two fundamental operational components:

• GOI (Gruppo Operativo Incursori): The heirs of the historic Italian special forces, specialized in naval assault, hostage rescue, and special operations.
• GOS (Diving Operations Group): The world's elite for underwater operations, ordnance disposal, and deep-sea work.

The Big Maneuvers: Gold Finger and Black Shadow

Between October and November 2025, COMSUBIN completed two of NATO's most complex exercises to counter maritime terrorism and defend critical infrastructure.

• The "Gold Finger" focused on energy vulnerability. The scenario involved a simulated attack on an ENI offshore platform in the Northern Adriatic. It's no secret that platforms are attractive targets for anyone seeking to destabilize the national energy supply. A key technical detail was the integration of a team of US Navy SEALs into the operation, demonstrating interoperability with our American ally and the ability of our special forces to integrate with equivalents from other NATO countries, if necessary, demonstrating world-class preparedness.
• At the same time, the "Black Shadow" shifted its focus to tourism and passenger transport, simulating a crisis aboard a cruise ship in the Lower Adriatic (MSC and Costa Cruises vessels have been involved in the past). Unfortunately, cruise ships have been the victims of terrorist attacks in the past.

The structure deployed by the Navy was impressive and “joint”:

• AW-101 helicopters in special operations support configuration for fast roping (rapid descent on a rope). ²

• The UNPAV special naval unit “Tullio Tedeschi” .

  

  UNPAV vehicle

• GOS IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) Team .

• P-72A maritime patrol aircraft of the 41st Wing of Sigonella (mixed Navy-Air Force crew).

Here is a schematic summary of the main exercises carried out:

Exercise	Period (2025)	Main Objective	Key Assets
Gold Finger	October/November	Offshore Platform Defense (ENI)	GOI, GOS, US Navy SEALs, UNPAV
Black Shadow	October/November	Counter-terrorism on passenger ships	GOI, AW-101, P-72A
Dolphin	Annual	Special Forces – Submarine Interaction	GOI, U212A Submarines
MCADS	July	Strategic air projection	C-130J, RHIB, Folgore Paratroopers

The MCADS Capability: Getting Anywhere, Now

One of the most technical and fascinating aspects to emerge from the 2025 activities is maintaining MCADS ( Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System ) capability. Simply put: how do you get a strike team and their vessel into the middle of the ocean in a few hours? You launch them from an airplane.

In July, a C-130J from the 46th Air Brigade in Pisa airdropped a Zodiac Hurricane 7.33 rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), secured to a special PURIBAD platform. GOI paratroopers free-falled immediately thereafter, reaching the vessel in the sea to conduct a hostage release operation (HRO) on a merchant vessel.

This capability, which requires the specialized support of the Army's "Folgore" Paratrooper Brigade for load conditioning, allows Italy to project force well beyond the visible horizon, without having to wait for the navigation times of a mother ship.

Submarines and the Future with Nave Olterra

One cannot talk about deterrence without mentioning the underwater component. Exercise “Delfino,” which saw the participation of Undersecretary of Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago, tested the integration between the raiders and the U212A class submarines. The AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) boats are ideal platforms for the covert insertion of special operators into hostile waters.

But the real breakthrough in capabilities is expected in 2027, with the entry into service of the new SDO-SuRS (Special and Diving Operations – Submarine Rescue Ship) " Olterra ." This vessel, launched in 2025 and currently under construction, will not be a simple support vessel, but a true floating Headquarters for Special Operations (JSOCC), capable of managing complex crises autonomously. This is a necessary investment, considering that protecting the "motorways of the sea" and gas pipelines is not a luxury, but a prerequisite for our economic security.

The Navy confirms a high level of readiness. The threats to energy and commercial infrastructure are real and systemic; fortunately, the Italian response also appears to be up to the challenge, combining technology, joint training, and that touch of Italian ingenuity that, from the days of the X^ MAS to today, the world has envied (and studied) us.

---

Questions and Answers

Why does the Navy train on oil rigs?

Offshore platforms are critical to the national energy supply. In a hybrid warfare scenario, attacking an ENI platform is not just a military act, but a direct attack on the country's economy and social stability. Exercises like "Gold Finger" serve to prepare special forces to regain control of these infrastructures very quickly, minimizing risks to civilian personnel and preventing environmental disasters or energy outages.

What does the acronym MCADS mean and what is it used for?

MCADS stands for Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System. It is a complex technique that allows an assault vessel (rigid inflatable boat) to be parachuted into the sea directly from a C-130J transport aircraft. The commandos jump immediately after the vessel. This capability is essential for intervention in scenarios far from national bases or friendly ships, allowing the GOI to operate "anywhere" with minimal warning, reaching hijacked ships or crisis areas in just a few hours of flight.

What is the role of submarines in special operations?

Modern submarines, such as the Italian Navy's U212A class, are not only used for naval hunting, but are also perfect carriers for Special Forces. Thanks to their silence and invisibility, they can approach hostile coastlines undetected. During Exercise "Delfino," the commandos' ability to emerge from submerged submarines (via lockout booths) to conduct reconnaissance or sabotage missions was tested, ensuring the essential element of surprise in asymmetric warfare.

The article "COMSUBIN: The Shield on Italian Strategic Infrastructures. Special exercises to address new threats" comes from Scenari Economici .

---

This is a machine translation of a post published on Scenari Economici at the URL https://scenarieconomici.it/comsubin-lo-scudo-sulle-infrastrutture-strategiche-italiane-esercitazioni-speciali-per-affrontare-le-nuove-minacce/ on Sat, 10 Jan 2026 10:00:19 +0000.