Starting in late March 2026, Italy significantly stepped up its military deployment across the Middle East. Responding to escalating regional instability in the Gulf and explicit requests for support from partner nations, the Italian Ministry of Defense deployed a comprehensive task force to back the armed and security forces of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain.

At the core of the operation lies Task Force Air-Arabia, commanded by Colonel Michele Schiavi and featuring roughly 400 Air Force personnel. This aviation unit deploys several key assets, including Eurofighter F-2000A jets for airspace defense, an E-550A CAEW platform for airborne early warning and surveillance, and C-130J aircraft for strategic transport. Ground-based surveillance in Kuwait is further reinforced by an AN/TPS-77 radar unit, while ACUS-E counter-drone systems stand ready to counter small uncrewed aerial threats.

Rome’s commitment extends well beyond airspace protection. The ground element, designated Task Force Land-Arabia, fields around 300 Army personnel across the region. This component provides critical air-and-missile defense via a SAMP/T battery alongside KRONOS radar systems positioned across Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, complemented by a SKYNEX short-range air defense battery operating in the United Arab Emirates.