The “Vittorio Veneto” Division is a Unit of the Italian Army, located in Florence, in the “Predieri” Barracks. In October 2019, NATO member Countries joined the initiative proposed to the North Atlantic Council (NAC) by the Italian Ministry of Defense to establish the Multinational Division-South (MND-S), as a Command to be included in the NATO Force Structure (NFS). In this context, in compliance with what was established by the national military authorities, the “Vittorio Veneto” Division was identified as the framework Unit on which to develop the new Multinational HQ.
A complex process that saw, with the approval of the NATO Strategic Directive (signed by the Supreme Allied Commander Europe – SACEUR, on 3 June 2024), officially sanction the beginning of the path that will lead to the birth of the MND-S.
This document, in defining the mission, tasks and structure, traces the final phases of the path towards the certification of the operational readiness of the MND-S. Unlike what its name suggests, it will have to guarantee the ability to exercise the Command and Control function on the units responsible for carrying out the missions assigned by the Country and the Alliance wherever the situation requires it in the context of deterrence and defense, prevention and management of crises and cooperative security (so-called NATO 3 Core Tasks).
In 2022, the Initial Operational Capability (IOC) was achieved and, in November, during the "Steadfast Jackal '22" exercise, the Division played the role of Land Tactical Element (LTE) within a Joint Task Force, represented by NATO Rapid Reaction Army Corps (NRDC – ITA) in Solbiate Olona (VA) and thereby assumed its first NATO role.
This important milestone has confirmed the MND-S as a Division level HQ able to plan and conduct operations in support of the three NATO core tasks (deterrence and defense, crisis prevention and management and participatory security), filling the role of Division Command or Land Component Command (LCC).
One MND-S’ priorities, supported by Italian Armed Forces leadership, is, thus, the creation of a multinational staff, which applies NATO operating procedures using English as working language. Italy has accepted the further challenge, emphasizing the professionalism of its military personnel, thanks to the operational and training experience matured over the last 30 years. During the 2023, training activities have involved the Division even more markedly.
In November, 78th Headquarters Support Group (HSG) has deployed the Divisional Main Command Post as part of the "Ghost Command Post '23" CPX/CAX.
The exercise is part of a multi-years training strategy with other NATO member countries. The "Ghost Command Post '23", in fact, has been federated to a multinational and joint exercise named "Citadel Bonus '23" (CIBO 23), organized, also in November, by the France Rapid Reaction Corps (RRC – FRA).
The MND-S HQ played as Secondary Training Audience in a warfighting scenario, thus testing its capability in planning and conducting such a kind of operational activities with particular focus on Fires, Air-Land Integration and a Command Post structure able to balance reduced footprint, high mobility and effective manoeuvre.
During the exercise, the Main Command Post was redeployed while the tactical one granted C2 continuity. In the first quarter of 2024, the Division was once again engaged in the multinational exercise "Loyal Leda", in support of the aforementioned French Command, a valuable chance to increase the ability to interoperate within NATO. To the Divisional Staff, CIBO 23 has been another very important training opportunity along the path to the NATO allied Reaction Force (ARF) Land Component Command (LCC) role assigned to the MND-S from Jul 25 to Jul 26. The 2024 is undoubtedly crucial for the MNDS that has to cope with its Combat Readiness Evaluation (CREVAL) led by Allied Land Command (LANDCOM).
The exercise “Steadfast Dagger 2024” (at the NATO Joint Warfare Center in Stavanger) will be the final step of the evaluation process during which MND-S will operate as LCC in a Non-Article 5 scenario proving its combat readiness to NATO.
In the three-year period 2024 – 2026, the Division will undertake a series of further multinational exercises in accordance with NATO ARF Training Plan in order to enhance the ability to plan and conduct operations in support of the three core tasks of the Alliance. The daily training that women and men of the Division are facing must not be overlooked.
On a weekly basis, courses and seminars are held on modern conflict scenarios and on the development of NATO doctrine, often with the help of external military personnel, including foreign ones from allied Countries. Therefore, the "Vittorio Veneto" Division, as an operational body of the Italian Army, represents an ambitious project, of international level, which represents an important opportunity for economic and social growth in the city area of Florence. Furthermore, forthcoming multinational Staff will undoubtedly bring even more prestige to Italy, its Armed Forces and to Florence itself.
The barracks that houses the "Vittorio Veneto" Division HQ was built in the 1920s, after World War I, and is named after Gen. D. Alessandro Predieri, Commander of the "Brescia" Division and Military Valor silver medal, who died heroically, in 1942, in El Alamein. The Barracks, in addition to the Vittorio Veneto Division Headquarters, hosted other Signals Units.
Following the transfer of the Command of the "Friuli" Brigade to Bologna, which had occupied the barracks until the nineties, the "Predieri" hosted the Command of the EUropean Rapid Operational FORce (EUROFOR), a European multinational rapid intervention force, made up of staff from Italy, Spain, France and Portugal. Established in 1995, its tasks were part of the 1992 EU Petersberg missions (humanitarian and relief, peacekeeping and crisis management).
The EUROFOR Command was definitively suppressed on 2 July 2012. From 15 July 2013, "Predieri" barracks was the headquarters of the Command of "Friuli" Division, which had, under its dependencies, "Pozzuolo del Friuli" Cavalry Brigade, 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete" and "Friuli" airmobile Brigade. Since 1 October 2016, it has also had "Folgore" Airborne Brigade.
On 1 July 2019, the Division took on its current name in memory of the battle, fought Vittorio Veneto city, which was decisive for the victory of the First World War.
Following the organizational restructuring of the Northern Operational Forces, last 1 January 2022, “Vittorio Veneto” Division handed over Pozzuolo del Friuli" Cavalry Brigade, 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete" and Airborne Brigade "Folgore" directly to the Northern Operational Forces Commander ". Later on, since 11 February 2022, "Friuli" Airmobile Brigade too left the Division becoming an Army Aviation Command sub unit.
​The Activation Order of June 13, 2025, from the North Atlantic Council (NAC) has officially formalized the birth of MND-S as an element of the NATO Force Structure (NFS), as of June 15, 2025.
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