JS HAMANA conducted a bilateral exercise with the Italian Navy.

3 July, JS HAMANA conducted a bilateral exercise with an Italian Navy frigate ITS FRANCESCO MOROSINI in the East China Sea.
The Commanding Officer of JS HAMANA, Commander HORIBE Nariyoshi said, “Through the exercise, we improved our tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the Italian Navy. ITS FRANCESCO MOROSINI is the most advanced Italian ship and I am very proud to have worked together. We sent them off wishing for their safe navigation.”
Italy is an important partner to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” The JMSDF has been deepening Japan-Italy defense cooperation through bilateral exercises on various occasions including its counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia.
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies, not only for the defense of Japan, but also for the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and a security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.