The disappearance

Claudio Graziano: a career at the top of Defence, President of Fincantieri from 2022

We quote from the Fincantieri website a biography of the company's late chairman, Claudio Graziano

17 June 2024

Il generale Claudio Graziano al giuramento di 89 cadetti dell'Accademia militare Aeronautica a Pozzuoli (Napoli).12 aprile 2017. ANSA / CIRO FUSCO

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We reproduce from the site of Fincantieri a biography of the company's late chairman, Claudio Graziano.

Born in Turin in 1953, he attended the Modena Military Academy, from 1972 to 1974, and the Turin School of Application, from 1974 to 1976, where he graduated in Strategic Military Sciences. He also obtained a degree in Diplomatic and International Sciences at the University of Trieste, a Master's degree in Strategic Sciences and a university specialisation in Human Sciences at the Augustinian Academy in Rome.

Appointed in 1974 as Infantry Officer, Alpine specialty, in 1976 he was commander of the rifle platoon at the Alpine battalion 'Susa' in Pinerolo and in 1977 he was Deputy Commander of the tank counter company of the Alpine Brigade 'Taurinense'. He then commanded, in 1980, the mortar company as well as the alpine company (riflemen) at the 'Trento' alpine battalion of the 'Tridentina' alpine brigade and from 1983 to 1986 the Officer Cadet company and the Command company at the Alpine Military School in Aosta.

After the Staff Course, he was assigned to the Army General Staff in 1987, where he served as a Staff Officer in the Procurement Programme Office.

Promoted to Major in 1988, he then attended the Advanced Staff Course from 1989 to 1990.

In 1990, promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, he was transferred to the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army, taking up the post of Chief of the Chief of Staff Secretariat.

In 1992, he was reassigned to the Alpine Battalion 'Susa' as Commander, which, during his command, was deployed in Mozambique, as part of the UN peacekeeping mission, with the main task of ensuring the security of the Beira corridor, facilitating and supporting humanitarian and medical relief to local populations.

At the end of 1993, he was appointed Head of the Coordination and Studies Section in the Office of the Chief of the Army Staff.

Promoted to colonel, he attended the US Army War College in 1996 and then commanded the 2nd Alpine regiment of the 'Taurinense' Brigade in Cuneo. Subsequently, he served as Chief of the Planning Office of the Army General Staff.

In September 2001, he took up the post of Military Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Washington D.C., USA.

Promoted to Brigadier General in January 2002, in August 2004, he took command of the 'Taurinense' Alpine Brigade, and from July 2005 to February 2006, he took command of the 'Multinational Brigade Kabul' in Afghanistan and, with it, responsibility for the Operations Area of the Kabul province, directing, among other things, numerous humanitarian initiatives in the sphere of reconstruction activities and first aid to the population.

Promoted to General of Division in January 2006, in March of the same year, he took up the post of Head of the Operations Department of the Defence Inter-Forces High Command.

In January 2007, the UN Secretary-General appointed him Force Commander of the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, where he fulfilled the role of UN Force Commander, as well as Mission Chief, and became responsible for the entire UN civilian component in Lebanon, including the coordination of humanitarian aid and reconstruction and relief activities undertaken.

In January 2010, he was promoted to the rank of Army General and, in February of the same year, was appointed Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defence. In October 2011, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Army and subsequently promoted to the rank of General.

From February 2015 to November 2018, he was Chief of Defence Staff.

Appointed in November 2017, he served as Chairman of the European Union Military Committee from 6 November 2018 to 15 May 2022.

Since 16 May 2022 he has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fincantieri S.p.A. and since 28 September 2022 he has been Chairman of Assonave (National Association of the Shipbuilding Industry).

Honoured with numerous decorations, he was awarded 5 Solemn Encomiums and 9 Simple Encomiums. He was also conferred the honorary citizenship of the Province of Tiro (Lebanon), the Municipalities of Villanova d'Asti and Fontanile (AT) and the city of Biella.

He is the author of numerous books, studies and articles.