Multinational Division South

The Multinational Division South (MND-S) is a NATO-assigned deployable division command of the Italian Army. The division is based in Florence in Tuscany and part of the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy. Originally the division was named Division "Vittorio Veneto" (Italian: Divisione "Vittorio Veneto") and carried the name and traditions of the Cold War Armored Brigade "Vittorio Veneto". Brigade and division were named for the decisive Italian World War I victory at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.^[1]

Multinational Division South
Coat of Arms of the Multinational Division South
Active	1 July 2019 - present
Country	Italy
Branch	Italian Army
Part of	NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy
Garrison/HQ	Florence

On 1 July 2025, the division became a multinational, NATO-assigned deployable division command and was renamed Multinational Division South (MND-S). On the same day the division was assigned to the NATO Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy.^[2][3]

History

In 2002 the Italian Army raised three division commands, with one of the three always readily deployable for NATO missions. The army decided that each division should carry on the traditions of one of the divisions that served with distinction during World War II. Therefore, on 31 December 2002 the 2nd Italian Division based in Vittorio Veneto was renamed Division Command "Mantova".^[4]

In the 2013 the army began a reform, which included the plan to merge the Airmobile Brigade "Friuli" and Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli" into an air assault brigade carrying the name of the latter unit. As the "Friuli" was one of the most distinguished combat groups of the World War II Italian Co-belligerent Army the army transferred on 16 July 2013 the Division Command "Mantova" from Vittorio Veneto to Florence, where it was renamed Division "Friuli".^[4]

However, due to the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine the army's reform plans were reversed and an expansion of the army began. As the Airmobile Brigade "Friuli" was no longer scheduled to merge with theCavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli" the army renamed on 1 July 2019 the division Division "Vittorio Veneto".^[4]

Organization

Division "Vittorio Veneto" organization until 2022 (click to enlarge)

Until 2022 the Division "Vittorio Veneto" commanded the following units in Northern Italy:^[4]

• Division "Vittorio Veneto", in Florence^[4]
  • Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Vittorio Veneto", in Florence
  • Cavalry Brigade "Pozzuolo del Friuli", in Gorizia
  • 132nd Armored Brigade "Ariete", in Pordenone
  • Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore", in Livorno

Since 2022 the division's only permanently assigned unit is the 78th Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Lupi di Toscana" in Florence.^[4]

• Division "Vittorio Veneto", in Florence^[4]
  • 78th Command and Tactical Supports Unit "Lupi di Toscana", in Florence
    • Command Company
    • Tactical and Logistic Support Battalion
      • Deployment Support Company
      • Transport Company

External links

• Italian Army Homepage: Multinational Division South