Leonardo’s advanced naval sensors and command systems were deployed aboard the Italian Navy’s Giovanni delle Bande Nere during NATO’s Formidable Shield 2025 exercise, where they demonstrated integrated air and missile defence capabilities alongside Allied forces, according to a company press release.
The Giovanni delle Bande Nere, the first of Italy’s PPA “full” configuration multi-purpose combat ships, used Leonardo’s SADOC 4 command-and-control system and Dual Band Radar to detect and track a range of ballistic, aerial and surface threats in a live-fire environment. These systems operated in close coordination with NATO assets, contributing to joint situational awareness and multi-domain defence.
Formidable Shield, led by U.S. Sixth Fleet and conducted by NATO’s STRIKFORNATO command, is held biennially and focuses on Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) across Allied naval forces. The 2025 edition included simulated and live engagements against advanced aerial and missile threats.
According to Leonardo, SADOC 4 functioned as the ship’s central decision-making system, integrating human-machine interfaces designed to accelerate command processes and enhance operator responsiveness. “SADOC 4 integrates advanced technologies based on the continuous evolution of interaction between man and machine… simplifying tasks and reducing decision-making times,” the company stated.
The Dual Band Radar, also developed by Leonardo, was used to detect and track both airborne and ballistic targets. Its configuration allows for 360-degree surveillance, target tracking, fire control, and electronic warfare functions simultaneously. During the exercise, the system identified and maintained tracks on short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, sharing data across NATO networks via tactical links.
Leonardo reported that the radar system “initialised tracking within seconds of launch and accurately tracked ballistic missiles for hundreds of kilometres, even at supersonic speeds.” The ship also acted as a forward observer, autonomously detecting and disseminating missile launch data in real time.
The Italian Navy was recognised during the final forum of the exercise for its high level of IAMD capability, particularly for its ability to integrate effectively with NATO systems, including those of the U.S. Navy, say the firm.
Very clever, but does it have the missiles to intercept the ballistic missiles for the interception?
It will have the latest variants of Aster 30 yes.
Yes it’s getting Aster 30 block 1 NT, so it will have better missiles than an updated type 45. So it can defend against medium range ballistic Missiles 1500km range.. where as the upgraded T45 will only be able to engage short range Ballistic missiles 600km range.. at present they both have standard. Aster 30s so they can manage tactical ballistic Missiles.
Aside from the fact the PPAs will have the more effective Aster 30 there are a few other key differences, due to a very different function.
The PPA is really envisioned as a second rate “outer screen” and general purpose 6000 ton frigate, as such it’s been designed to kill everything well but without speciality.
So it can track, target and kill any air target ( up to medium range ballistic missiles) but its balance pay off is it only has 16 missile silos for the aster 30s. But it has a very good AAW gun armament to back this up with a 76mm super rapid gun with dart guided rounds ( essentially a 10km range point gun launched point defence missile), a general purpose 5inch gun and 2 25mm remote mounts.
What it also has over the hyper specialist Type 45 and under funded type 31 is a full towed array sonar as well as organic light weight torpedoes for ASW work, it’s also got 8 350km range anti ship and land attack cruise missiles..
Essentially it’s the second line GP frigate the RN wishes it had. Let’s not get into the fact many of their primary ASW frigates will also have ASTER 30 block 1 NT and be able to track and destroy medium range ballistic missiles or they have already designed their next generation AAW destroyer and its almost 14,000 tons and can essentially do everything…. Ohh and in total the will have 12 modern FREMM frigates, 7 PPA frigates, 2 horizon destroyers and 2 14,000 ton heavy destroyers for a fleet of 23 major surface combatants ( 16 of which are already active, all of which will have sonar and aster 30 missiles)..,added to that they are building a new generation of around 9 2000-2500 ton OPVs.. but unlike the RN OPV the Italian ones will have full frigate level sensors, 76mm supper rapid guns with guided dart rounds, 2 30mm CIWS and either CAMM or CAMM ER missiles as well as full hangers for a small ship fight. essentially the surface combatant fleet the RN should have.
Thanks for the information, I had no idea the PPA ships were so well equiped.