BLACK POISON 2025 – Multinational Exercise for CBRN Defense

The 7th CBRN Defense Regiment successfully completed the multinational exercise “BLACK POISON 2025”, an important training activity that involved specialized units from various NATO countries, strengthening interoperability among allied forces and managing emergencies in environments contaminated or potentially contaminated by CBRN agents.

Objectives and Development of Black Poison 2025

Held in the training areas of Civitavecchia, Rieti, and Santa Severa, the exercise simulated complex scenarios of response to CBRN threats, testing the capabilities of reconnaissance, identification, sampling, decontamination, and crisis management resulting from the use or dispersal of CBRN substances. The primary objective of “BLACK POISON 2025” was to test the interoperability of allied forces and the ability to respond in an integrated and timely manner to high-criticality situations, both in civilian and military contexts.

The exercise concluded in the presence of the Artillery Commander, Brigadier General Gianluca Figus. Colonel Dario De Masi, Commander of the 7th CBRN Defense Regiment and Director of the exercise, highlighted the fundamental value of international cooperation: “BLACK POISON 2025 represents a crucial step for maintaining the readiness of the Combined Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Task Force (CJ-CBRND-TF) against asymmetric and unconventional threats. The professionalism of the personnel employed and the cooperation among participating nations demonstrate an integrated and timely response."

The Participation of Allied Forces and Italy's Strategic Role

The exercise saw the participation of numerous Italian and allied units, including assets from the Joint NBC Defense School, the Artillery Command, the Tactical Information Brigade, the Joint Logistics Center for NBC Defense, the 11th Transmission Regiment, the Railway Engineers Regiment, the 3rd Regiment "Bondone", as well as specialist teams from the Italian Air Force and the French, German, and Polish Armed Forces. The presence of these units highlighted the value of the 7th CBRN Defense Regiment “CREMONA” as an international reference point for CBRN defense.

The 7th CBRN Defense Regiment "CREMONA", the only specialized unit of its kind in Italy, continues its commitment to training, education, and research. The goal is to develop and implement increasingly advanced equipment to ensure the protection of ground forces and provide support to state organizations engaged in national security.

Conclusions

"BLACK POISON 2025" further strengthened NATO's deterrence and defense capabilities against CBRN threats, confirming the strategic role and value of Italy and its 7th CBRN Defense Regiment within the Atlantic Alliance. By successfully concluding the exercise, Italy reaffirms its leadership in strengthening allied defense capabilities in an increasingly complex and threatening global context.