A guest lecture by听Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza, Head of the Submarines Department at the Italian Navy General Staff Commander of Submarines.
The ocean economy is essential for humanity's future well-being, providing food, energy, minerals, health benefits, recreation, and transportation. Analyzing the relevance of oceans, it is essential to consider that they extend beyond the surface, including the crucial underwater dimension and the seafloor.
Modern societies heavily rely on connected services, with undersea cables carrying 99% of intercontinental communications. Additionally, a significant share of gas and oil exploration, extraction, and transportation takes place underwater and is increasingly vulnerable to hybrid threats. The relevance of those interests and recent events make clear that the maritime domain's underwater dimension is a new scenario of rivalry, where interests and competition grow with the practical ability to access it. This is a highly complex environment that requires approaching it from different perspectives, from technology development to legal issues.
This lecture will focus on the Italian Navy's approach and vision for the security of the underwater environment, contributing to ensuring safe and effective access to and protection of the underwater spaces and resources.
Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza
Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza听was born in Lecce. He attended the Naval Academy from 1989 to 1993. His academic curriculum includes courses at the Maritime and Military Studies Institute in Venice (2003-2004), at the Joint Services Staff College in Rome (2007-2008), achieving a post-graduate Master's in 鈥淚nternational Strategic and Military Studies鈥� and the qualification as Legal Adviser, expert in Humanitarian Law of Armed Conflicts, and a 2nd level Master鈥檚 degree in 鈥淕lobal Strategy and Security鈥� earned at the Centre of Defense Higher Studies in Rome (2020-2021). He also achieved University degrees in 鈥淐omputer Sciences,鈥澨�淢aritime and Naval Science,鈥� and 鈥淧olitical Science鈥�.
After attending the Naval Academy, he qualified as a submariner and then held various positions on board, progressively up to Commanding Officer of the ITS Todaro (2006-2007) in the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He commanded the Offshore Patrol Vessel Libra (2002-2003) at听the rank of Lieutenant and the Frigate Espero (2010-2011) at听the rank of Commander. Promoted to Captain, he was appointed to command the Aircraft Carrier Garibaldi (2017-2018). During his career, he has covered several positions in the Navy General Staff and Central Armed Forces bodies as branch Head of the Organization and Regulation Office at 1st Personnel Department (2015-2017) and later as Head of the Officers Employment Department听(2018-2021).
In October 2021, Rear Admiral Lacerenza was appointed as Commander of the Submarines, Head of the Submarines Department at the Navy General Staff, Head of the Submarines Programme Office at the Naval Armaments Directorate. Since 2018, he has been the President of the Navy Sailing Centre in Anzio.听
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