NATO is expanding its Air Command and Control Training Centre in Italia
The Centre is situated in Poggio Renatico, in the province of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna, at the Italian Air Force base. It is a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation facility that supports the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), headquartered in Ramstein, Germany
Key points
A flagship of the Italian Defence in the field of air cover, operating under the NATO umbrella, has resumed operations. In a statement, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation announced that the Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC, Deployable Air Command and Control Centre), based in Italia, has resumed full operations at its Air Command and Control Training and Test Facility (ATTF). Operations had been suspended following a hardware and software upgrade.
NATO has clarified that this initiative “strengthens the Centre’s ability to train personnel and test systems in support of allied operations”. In September, the facility, equipped with the upgraded system, hosted two NATO events, bringing together personnel and technical specialists with the aim of developing their skills and assessing the capabilities deployed in the Alliance’s command and control processes.
The first activity marked the start of the initial training session for personnel at the Deployable Control and Reporting Centres (D-CRC, ), focusing on the future IDAS system and preparing them to operate with this new capability. The Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines (IDAS) active self-defence system is designed to protect submarines from airborne threats in shallow and coastal waters. Last month, NATO explains, the facility also provided support to the Joint Targeting System user group, which is testing system updates and improvements to the tools used by allied forces to manage target detection and selection activities.
Monitoring of the Alliance’s airspace
The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation emphasises that the air defence developed under its umbrella relies on much more than just aircraft, sensors and ground-based defence systems. Behind every coordinated response are suitably trained personnel and command and control systems that enable NATO to monitor its airspace, assess potential threats and direct the available forces. The ATTF is tasked with providing a dedicated environment for training and experimentation, thereby contributing to the readiness of personnel and systems in support of the North Atlantic Alliance’s air defence mission. By integrating technical development, testing and practical training – as NATO emphasises – ‘the facility helps to ensure that NATO personnel and systems are ready to operate jointly, strengthening the Alliance’s readiness and its ability to conduct coordinated operations’.
The Italian Control and Reporting Centre
The general function of a control and reporting centre is to monitor the air situation, process information from sensors and assist in the coordination and control of air traffic. The overall aim is to monitor airspace and maintain an up-to-date picture of the air situation, which is useful for identifying and assessing potential threats. These centres form part of NATO’s air defence command and control network. In particular, the NATO Deployable Air Command and Control Centre (DACCC) is located in Poggio Renatico, in the province of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna, at the Italian Air Force base. It is a NATO facility that supports the Allied Air Command (AIRCOM), headquartered in Ramstein, Germany.
