Solbiate Olona, 17 th December 2025– As part of a series of scheduled visits to the units comprising the NATO Allied Reaction Forces, the ARF Commander conducted an official visit to the MARFOR (Marine Forces) Command in Rota Naval Base and the Special Operations Forces Command located in Retamares, Spain. In a key engagement, during the tour, the Italian Commander met with the Spanish Naval Forces Commander as well, in order to address and share mutual operational perspectives.
The meetings represented a significant opportunity for discussion and the sharing of operational experiences from an Atlantic Alliance perspective, focusing on their contribution to the Allied Reaction Force (ARF) within the period of stand-by up to the end of first semester 2026.
During the visit, the General participated in a series of briefings focused on the integration and employment of the elite Spanish Marine Infantry amphibious unit's capabilities, a fundamental operational domain available to the ARF. These sessions specifically illustrated the force projection capabilities and employment doctrines of the unit within the context of naval and amphibious operations. The meeting further highlighted the exceptional operational standards of the Spanish Special Forces, a key asset within the ARF fully integrated in Innovation and Multi Domain environments.
This event follows a previous visit to the ARF's land component, this time in Florence, where the Italian-led Multinational Division South Command is headquartered, another fundamental piece on the organizational chessboard available to the high-ranking General.
The ARF currently represents one of NATO's primary technological and operational platforms, with a role that extends beyond operational readiness. It is a preparation and innovation hub where new concepts, command systems, and advanced technological solutions are tested as well as potential employment options are developed to contribute to NATO core tasks.
The ARF Command, with its multi-domain capabilities and the presence of multinational assets, is a further demonstration of Italy's commitment to supporting NATO in the service of deterrence, defense, and Euro-Atlantic cooperative security.