On 20 August 2026 the NATO Research Vessel (NRV) ALLIANCE marked a historic change of command at Kai 8 – Tromsø, Norway, as outgoing Commanding Officer C.F. Stefano Febbraro handed over to C.F. Marta Pratellesi, the first woman to command NRV ALLIANCE in its 38 years of service.

Pratellesi noted the symbolism of boarding NRV ALLIANCE one year and 58° of latitude away from where she began as Executive Officer aboard destroyer ITS Caio Duilio in the Red Sea. She said, “It is a privilege to serve as C.O. on this truly unique vessel. I am thrilled to support NATO’s scientific missions to fill urgent needs with the use and development of emerging and disruptive technologies, starting at REPMUS in Portugal.”

NRV ALLIANCE is a global-class research vessel, ice-strengthened, and one of the quietest ships in the world. Its change of command ceremony follows a high profile summer campaign in the Arctic and High North, where it functioned as the main platform for the first dedicated sea trial of NATO’s Task Force X-Arctic. The vessel then journeyed further north to conduct the CMRE-led Arctic Climate Observatory trial, in parallel to the Italian Navy’s annual High North research activity.

Under Pratellesi’s command, NRV ALLIANCE is now in Portugal participating in REPMUS 2026, the world’s largest exercise focused on the integration of unmanned maritime systems into naval operations.

Earlier this summer, NATO Coastal Research Vessel (CRV) LEONARDO also saw a transfer of leadership, where T.V. Paola Amato assumed the role of Commanding Officer. The ceremony took place at Banchina Giovannini Italian Naval Base on 17 July, where outgoing Commanding Officer T.V. Giuseppe Fiore handed over to Amato.

An experienced Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer, Amato said, “Taking command of Nave Leonardo is a great honor and a privilege for me. Having the opportunity to contribute, together with this team, to the development of innovative solutions and to the advancement of technology is something I am particularly proud of.”

Just one month apart, Pratellesi and Amato took the helms of their respective vessels, making history together. For the first time ever, both NATO research vessels sail under the command of female officers, to deliver another year of cutting-edge research, experimentation and technology demonstration programmes.

The NATO STO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) delivers its at-sea research and experimentation programmes through two NATO-owned research vessels: NRV ALLIANCE and CRV LEONARDO, operated and crewed by the Italian Navy since 2016.