The activity aims to train the Command and Control chain of the two countries in the application of common procedures in the event of an air threat from a non-military aircraft.
The bilateral exercise “Ferrari-I 26-01” took place on 25 March, a joint training activity between the Italian Air Force and the Swiss Air Force aimed at strengthening operational coordination in the management of potential non-military air threats and testing the cooperation procedures between the air defense systems of the two countries.
The exercise, in its first edition in 2026 on Italian territory (-I Italy, -S Switzerland), is part of the framework of the technical cooperation agreements between Italy and Switzerland in the field of Air Policing and has made it possible to train flight crews and command centers in the management of complex scenarios that require rapid coordination between national command and control structures.
The simulated scenario involved the take-off from Pratica di Mare of a P-180 aircraft of the 14th Wing, used as a “target” aircraft, which during the flight simulated a loss of radio communications with air traffic control and a subsequent deviation from the planned route. The situation has led to the activation of the procedures provided for a Renegade-type event, i.e. a civilian aircraft potentially used as a threat.
Following the alarm, the National Air and Space Operations Centre (NASOC) of the Aerospace Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico ordered the immediate take-off of a pair of Eurofighter F-2000s of the 51st Wing of Istrana in Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) configuration, in charge of intercepting and identifying the aircraft.
The activity was conducted under the control of the Integrated Missile Air Defense (DAMI) units, 22nd DAMI Group of Licola (BARCA) and 11th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico (PIOPPO), which ensured the tactical management of the interception and the connection with the military air traffic control centers.
During the exercise, the target aircraft simulated the passage to Swiss airspace, requiring coordination between the Italian air defense system and the Air Defense and Direction Center (ADDC) in Dubendorf. In this phase, the procedures for the transfer of operational responsibility between the two nations were applied, with the management of the interception being transferred to the Swiss authorities.
The exercise made it possible to verify the effectiveness of the communication, identification and coordination procedures between the systems and command structures of the two countries, helping to strengthen the joint response capacity to security events in European airspace.
All activities were carried out in full compliance with international regulations for civil air traffic safety and under the supervision of the national operating authorities.
The 11th DAMI Group of Poggio Renatico and the 22nd DAMI Group of Licola, dependent on the Aerospace Control Brigade of the Aerospace Operations Command through the DAMI Department (Integrated Missile Air Defense), ensure daily surveillance and control of the national airspace, operating in an integrated way with the NATO air defense system. Through joint training activities such as this, the Air Force continues to develop international cooperation in the field of air defense, contributing to the security of European skies and the protection of the airspace of the Atlantic Alliance.
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