From Sunday, March 1st, 2026 to Tuesday, March 10th, 2026, a delegation from the Hellenic Navy NCO Academy visited Taranto, Southern Italy, as part of its participation in the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme in the field of Vocational Education and Training.

The Greek delegation, comprising ten (10) NCO Cadets and one (01) accompanying Officer in charge of the delegation, was hosted and trained at the facilities of the Taranto Italian Navy Petty Officers School (Marina Militare Scuola Sottufficiali – “MARISCUOLA”).

The visit’s training programme included:

  • The allocation of the Hellenic Navy NCO Cadets to groups according to their specialisation, their attendance of academic courses alongside Italian students, as well as briefings on the structure and organisation of the Italian Navy Fleet.
  • A guided tour of the Italian aircraft carrier CAVOUR and a briefing on its operational capabilities.
  • Visits to the Submarine Squadron Command (COMFLOTSOM) and to the Air Base, which are located in Taranto.
  • Training on modern navigation/bridge simulators, as well as on the use of Virtual Reality (VR) technology.
  • Briefings and practical training involving weapon systems and aviation assets (helicopters), alongside with training in the use of the Taranto Italian Navy Petty Officers School’s small arms.
  • Participation in joint sports activities with the Italian students, as well as cultural visits to sites of historical and naval interest in the wider region.

This initiative enhances the technical and professional skills of future Non-Commissioned Officers of the Hellenic Navy, providing them with a modern European learning experience. The Academy’s participation in European exchange programmes forms part of the broader planning of the Hellenic Navy General Staff to enhance the international engagement of the Hellenic Navy Academies. This participation thereby makes a substantial contribution to the modernisation of education and training, to the promotion of interoperability, as well as to the development of cooperative ties with personnel from allied Navies.