Italy evaluates nuclear-powered aircraft carrier under long-term naval modernization strategy.

In an interview with the Corriere della Sera on June 8, 2025, Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, confirmed that the Marina Militare is considering the development of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier as part of its long-term planning framework extending to 2040. The consideration of nuclear propulsion is part of a broader effort to address evolving maritime threats and energy requirements, including the increasing use of drones and the integration of systems for cyber defense.
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Currently, Italy operates two aircraft-capable vessels: the aircraft carrier Cavour, commissioned in 2009, and the amphibious assault ship Trieste, commissioned in late 2024. (Picture source: Fincantieri)

According to Credendino, all future Italian naval vessels will be designed with the capacity to embark various types of unmanned platforms. The aircraft carrier project remains in the conceptual and feasibility assessment phase and aligns with parallel developments in Italian naval nuclear research and industrial organization, particularly the Minerva program and the establishment of Nuclitalia.

The Minerva program, officially launched in 2023 by the Directorate of Naval Armaments of the Italian Ministry of Defense, serves as the primary institutional framework for studying the potential application of nuclear energy in frontline naval vessels. Minerva is an acronym for “Marinazzazione di Impianti Nucleari per l’Energia a bordo di Vascelli Armati” and is structured into three phases. The first involves a feasibility study for integrating next-generation naval nuclear reactors. The second comprises a concept design of a nuclear-powered combat ship. The third provides a comparative evaluation between an existing conventional unit and a similar vessel powered by a nuclear reactor. The program is supported by €2.1 million in funding and is managed by a temporary association of companies. This includes Fincantieri as lead contractor, with participation from Cetena, Ansaldo Nucleare, Rina Services, and the University of Genoa. Admiral Credendino has indicated that initial studies are focused on submarines and destroyers, while the possibility of a nuclear aircraft carrier is not excluded and remains under evaluation for longer-term implementation.

Nuclitalia, created in May 2025, is a separate initiative involving Enel, Ansaldo Energia, and Leonardo, holding 51 percent, 39 percent, and 10 percent of the company, respectively. Nuclitalia is tasked with evaluating advanced nuclear technologies for both civil and military applications, with an initial focus on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) cooled by water. Its mandate includes identifying technical requirements relevant to Italy, conducting assessments of mature reactor designs, and exploring potential industrial partnerships and co-development opportunities. The board is chaired by Ferruccio Resta, former rector of the Politecnico di Milano, and managed by Luca Mastrantonio, head of Enel’s Nuclear Innovation unit. A technical committee will be formed to support the analysis of the technological options available. The initiative operates under the oversight of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, given that all three shareholder companies fall under its authority. For Enel, the project qualifies as a related-party transaction of limited relevance, while Leonardo applied exemption rules due to the operation’s limited financial impact.

Fincantieri plays a central role in national efforts to explore SMR applications for naval propulsion, both through its leadership in the Minerva program and its industrial partnerships with companies like Newcleo and Rina. CEO Pierroberto Folgiero stated that fourth-generation reactors producing 30 megawatts of thermal energy are being considered for naval integration. These reactors are designed to provide chemical safety and to allow vessels to berth safely in civilian ports. Lead-cooled SMRs, such as those being developed by Newcleo, are compact and offer internal radiation shielding due to the properties of lead as a coolant. Fincantieri has been active in this field for several years, including participation in the European ITER program through its subsidiary Fincantieri SI, and by forming partnerships aimed at long-term decarbonization of naval propulsion systems. The company considers SMRs suitable not only for submarines and aircraft carriers but also for cruisers and frigates. These reactors are being studied as potential alternatives for onboard electricity generation, propulsion, and support for energy-intensive weapon and sensor systems.

Italy’s interest in nuclear naval propulsion has historical precedents dating back to the late 1950s. In 1959, Admiral Ernesto Giuriati proposed the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines. The Guglielmo Marconi project was initiated, with a planned 3,400-ton platform using a 30-megawatt pressurized water reactor derived from the U.S. S5W. The reactor would power turbines linked to a gearbox delivering 15,000 horsepower to a five-bladed propeller. The reactor’s development was assigned to the CAMEN, an inter-service center created in 1962 for military nuclear applications. The project was abandoned after 1963, when the United States halted technical cooperation. Officially, the decision was justified by laws prohibiting the export of military nuclear technology, but the real motivations included NATO strategic limitations after the Cuban Missile Crisis and political concerns over the Italian Communist Party. A subsequent attempt to obtain French assistance also failed. Although the submarine’s keel had already been laid in Taranto, the program was terminated. In addition, Italy considered integrating U.S. Polaris missiles into the cruiser Giuseppe Garibaldi and designed the Vittorio Veneto with space for four vertical launch tubes. Both programs were ultimately abandoned, and Italy never developed either a nuclear-powered submarine or a ballistic missile platform.

A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would enable Italy to operate vessels with significantly extended endurance and operational autonomy. Nuclear propulsion allows ships to function for decades without refueling, reducing dependence on logistical supply chains and improving resilience in contested environments. This endurance is particularly relevant given Italy’s global deployments, such as the Navy’s role in Operation Aspides in the Red Sea and the monitoring of Russian naval activity in the Mediterranean. The high electrical output of nuclear propulsion also supports the integration of advanced combat systems, such as electromagnetic aircraft launch systems, directed-energy weapons, and radar with high power demands. According to Credendino, the cost-benefit ratio of engaging low-cost drones with multi-million-euro missiles is unsustainable, which has led to the refinement of gun-based anti-air systems. Italy is currently using Oto Melara cannons integrated with Leonardo radars for drone interception. A nuclear-powered platform would have sufficient electrical output to operate such systems continuously, as well as support command-and-control equipment and launch facilities for drones and aircraft of various categories.

The integration of nuclear propulsion would also provide structural and operational advantages for carrier design. Removing the need for large onboard fuel reserves for propulsion allows for additional space for aviation fuel, munitions, sensors, and aircraft maintenance infrastructure. This could support a higher sortie rate and longer on-station durations. Nuclear propulsion also enables sustained high-speed transit, allowing carriers to reposition more rapidly during crises. Italy's operational reach would be extended beyond the Mediterranean into regions like the Indo-Pacific or Arctic, where current fuel logistics limit deployment duration. Nuclear-powered carriers would increase Italy’s contribution to NATO maritime task groups and its ability to participate in extended coalition operations. The strategic benefits also include reduced dependency on fossil fuels and greater independence in regions where supply lines are at risk. According to naval doctrine and recent operations, such as the coordination of Italian destroyers with U.S. air assets in the Red Sea, interoperability with allied forces would be enhanced by the increased availability and capability that a nuclear carrier could offer.

Currently, Italy operates two aircraft-capable vessels: the aircraft carrier Cavour, commissioned in 2009, and the amphibious assault ship Trieste, commissioned in late 2024. Both ships are configured for F-35B STOVL aircraft and helicopters. The Trieste has a 230-meter flight deck and can serve as a secondary aircraft carrier if necessary. Italy has adopted the STOVL (Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing) model instead of a CATOBAR system, allowing for interoperability with the U.S. Marine Corps and the United Kingdom. This choice also reduces development and maintenance costs. Italian naval doctrine prioritizes operational flexibility, regional presence, and interoperability within NATO and EU frameworks. With naval operations taking place from the Arctic to the Pacific, Italy has deployed up to 42 ships simultaneously in recent years. The current personnel strength of 28,700 may rise to 39,000 to meet operational demands, similar to the levels maintained by France and the United Kingdom. A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier would align with Italy’s evolving strategic doctrine by enabling continuous global deployment, enhanced mission readiness, and greater integration with allied forces across multiple theaters.