Task Force X-Central Mediterranean is enhancing multi-domain security along NATO’s Southern Flank. As an Allied Command Transformation project under Italian leadership, Task Force X-Central Mediterranean tests NATO’s ability to rapidly adopt new and emerging technologies. It is accelerating the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence into multi-domain operations.
Embracing Technological Innovation: Task Force X projects showcase NATO’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies, such as uncrewed systems and artificial intelligence, to enhance defensive capabilities. It also aims to seamlessly integrate uncrewed vessels with traditional crewed forces and enable quick and effective responses to threats while still benefiting from human oversight in critical operations, reflecting NATO’s proactive approach to modern security challenges. Building on previous ACT-led Task Force X efforts in the Baltic Sea and in the Arctic, five NATO Allies fielded during June and July 2026 over 100 different systems that execute intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); test crewed-uncrewed teaming; and demonstrate counter-UAS capabilities in multi-domain activities.
Forward-Thinking Defence: NATO is at the forefront of modern military innovation by experimenting with uncrewed and autonomous systems, preparing NATO for future unconventional or hybrid warfare security scenarios. Building on ACT’s previous work, Task Force X-Central Mediterranean is a multi-domain activity that significantly expands beyond the maritime focus of Task Force X-Baltic. In addition to testing maritime uncrewed systems, Task Force X-Central Mediterranean features uncrewed ground and air systems, as well as counter-UAS systems. Demonstrations will also include crewed-uncrewed teaming that tests and integrates uncrewed systems into traditional crewed forces, giving Allies the opportunity to test the right force mix between emerging and legacy technologies.
Multi-Domain Security in Focus: Task Force X-Central Mediterranean expands the previously maritime-focused Task Force X ACT projects to all domains. From seabed to space, Task Force X-Central Mediterranean is testing and integrating uncrewed systems with crewed legacy and traditional forces across all five domains. This focus on integrating and demonstrating uncrewed systems within existing force structures underscores NATO’s commitment to seizing and ensuring multi-domain warfighting advantage. It highlights NATO’s recognition of the evolving nature of international security in the digital age.
Strategic Partnerships: Five Allies—Croatia, Italy, Latvia, Slovenia and the United States—are contributing assets to Task Force X-Central Mediterranean, strengthening multinational coordination and collective defence. Seven additional Allies—Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania—are observing. Over 80 companies from NATO Allies and Partners participated in the testing, further advancing multinational interoperability.
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