First the “solidarity” (the polemics and clashes), then the simulation of catastrophes and dramas (such as the explosion of a satellite and a derailed train) and now the war scenario. All in the Polygon of Capo Teulada, the main theater, with incursions into other military areas of Sardinia.
The maxi exercise Joint Stars 2025 has entered the heart of the matter. That is, in the training phase of troops on land, in the air and at sea. The shooting is on, now. Having left behind the Deterrence phase, with inter-agency and inter-department training activities, in which the Armed Forces worked side by side with the Guardia di Finanza, the Fire Brigade and the Military Corps of the Red Cross, it is time for the Defense phase: the activities in which a war scenario is simulated have begun, «which provides for the activation of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty and the consequent application of the principle of “collective defense” of NATO».
The passage of the treaty in question requires all countries to put boots on the ground to defend an ally in the event of an attack by an enemy force.
In a "similar exercise context marked by realism", it is explained in a note from Covi (Joint Operational Command) "the Italian Army provides capabilities such as the Infantry, with Vbm "Freccia" and Vtlm "Lince" platforms. The Cavalry, which operates with the "Centauro 2" armored vehicles and the "Ariete" tanks. The Army aviation with CH-47 and A129 "Mangusta" helicopters. The land artillery with PzH 2000 and FH70 systems, the anti-aircraft with the short-range Samp-t missile system. What was supplied by Italy to Ukraine, attacked by Russia.
The purpose of Joint Stars, the command further explains, «is to test the ability to respond to a contemporary conflict, also foreseeing the overlapping of hybrid and conventional threats, which require the use of new technologies, such as hypersonic missiles, swarms of drones, without neglecting training for “traditional” warfare, with tanks, artillery and soldiers in the trenches, as emerged from recent ongoing conflicts».
Everything in Sardinia, as always.