A fully self-contained end-to-end Ericsson 5G SA network was installed on board the Italian Navy’s amphibious landing ship San Giorgio, which acted as the lead unit during a recent experimentation campaign. The deployment included Ericsson Ultra Compact Core and Ericsson Massive MIMO Radio Access Network products and solutions.
Ericsson 5G Standalone customer premises equipment was also installed on a second Italian Navy vessel, the Multi-Purpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli. The trial formed part of the EDF 5G COMPAD project, with outcomes demonstrated during the Italian Navy’s Operational Experimentation (OPEX) 2-25 in the Gulf of Taranto.
Using Ericsson’s 5G Standalone connectivity together with Leonardo’s NINE encryption solution, the test enabled the secure, real-time exchange of classified and unclassified information between the two naval units. This included full situational awareness from the Combat Management System and video streams from 12 unmanned systems processed via the AI Brain platform.
The open-sea Operational Experimentation, officially known as OPEX Task 2-25 and conducted within the framework of the Multi-Domain Operational Experimentation Committee, also involved other ecosystem partners testing maritime capabilities. The OPEX validated the performance, security and resilience of 5G SA for on-board connected systems, and showed how a unified 5G network can optimise spectrum usage compared with multiple standalone communication systems operating on unlicensed and potentially overlapping bands with interference risks.
Patrick Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Ericsson Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: “The Italian Navy is seeking the best possible connectivity solutions for its related needs, and we are proud to work with them towards that goal. Italy’s central Mediterranean location, with an exclusive economic zone spanning more than 500,000 Sq Km of sea, means the Italian Navy plays a strategically important role in Europe.”
Freddie Södergren, Head of Mission Critical Networks at Ericsson, said: “This successful trial with Leonardo and the Italian Navy represents a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to advancing defense capabilities through 5G technology. As an integral part of Ericsson’s defense portfolio, our 5G platform is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the sector. This collaboration not only demonstrates the versatility of dual-use 5G in critical operations, but also highlights how enhanced connectivity at sea can significantly strengthen naval communications and operational effectiveness.”
The experimentation followed earlier collaboration between Ericsson and the Italian Navy during NATO trials in 2024. During those trials, an end-to-end 5G Standalone network was installed at the Italian Naval base in Taranto.
