The Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) Post-Coup of Reform
After Ottavio Caroni’s Coup of Reform in 1932, the Royal Italian Navy (Regia Marina) underwent a radical transformation, aligning itself with Caroni’s vision of a modern, power-projection-focused force. Unlike Mussolini’s scattered naval policies, which emphasized coastal defense and prestige projects, Caroni understood the importance of a blue-water navy capable of challenging major powers and securing Italy’s place as a dominant force in the Mediterranean and beyond.

By the time Italy entered World War II on the side of the Allies, the Regia Marina had become one of the most advanced and formidable navies in Europe, adopting U.S.-style naval doctrine centered on carrier warfare, power projection, and combined arms operations.

Modernization & Expansion (1931–1945)
Under Caroni’s leadership, the Regia Marina saw significant industrial, technological, and strategic changes:

Aircraft Carrier Development – Recognizing the dominance of naval aviation, Caroni scrapped Italy’s outdated focus on battleships and instead pushed for a carrier-centered navy. By 1940, Italy had at least three fleet carriers and several escort carriers, allowing it to compete with the Royal Navy and project power across the Mediterranean.

Naval Aviation Corps (Aviazione Navale) – Integrated into the fleet, this force focused on air superiority, anti-ship strikes, and reconnaissance. Carrier-based aircraft such as modified Macchi and Reggiane fighters ensured Italy could dominate the skies over the Mediterranean.

Battleship Modernization – While carriers were prioritized, older battleships (such as the Littorio class) were modernized with radar, improved anti-air defenses, and better armor to serve as fleet flagships and shore bombardment platforms.

Fast Attack Forces – Inspired by U.S. naval doctrine, Italy developed a strong fleet of destroyers, cruisers, and submarines to operate in carrier battle groups. Light, fast vessels ensured mobility and flexibility, while submarines played a crucial role in disrupting Axis supply lines.

Naval Logistics & Basing – Caroni expanded and modernized naval bases in Sicily, Libya, and the Dodecanese Islands, turning them into powerful naval hubs. Italian naval forces could now operate deep into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, supporting global Allied efforts.

Caroni’s Naval Doctrine: The U.S. Model
Caroni rejected Mussolini’s "fleet-in-being" strategy, which kept Italy’s navy passive and defensive. Instead, he fully embraced U.S. naval doctrine, focusing on:

Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) – The backbone of Caroni’s navy, these fleets centered around aircraft carriers, supported by battleships, cruisers, and destroyers. This allowed Italy to:

Dominate the Mediterranean through carrier-based airpower.
Strike deep into enemy territory without relying on land-based air support.
Conduct amphibious invasions with overwhelming force.
Decisive Naval Superiority – Unlike Mussolini’s cautious naval policies, Caroni believed in seeking out and destroying enemy fleets preemptively. Italian carrier groups would engage enemy ships at long range using airstrikes and coordinated fleet attacks.

Power Projection & Amphibious Warfare – The Regia Marina became a global force, capable of:

Conducting amphibious landings with Marine divisions.
Controlling vital trade routes through sea lane dominance.
Escorting Italian and Allied forces in global operations.
Naval-Air Coordination – Caroni ensured that the Italian Air Force (Regia Aeronautica) worked in tandem with the navy, unlike in historical Fascist Italy where the two branches competed for resources. Naval aviation provided:

Fleet defense against enemy bombers.
Long-range strikes against enemy fleets and ports.
Scouting & early warning capabilities.
Submarine & Commerce Raiding Operations – The Regia Marina integrated submarines into strategic operations, using them in a role similar to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, targeting enemy convoys, scouting for carrier task forces, and even launching covert commando raids.

Impact of Caroni’s Reforms
By the late 1940s, the Regia Marina was a world-class navy, rivaling even the Royal Navy and standing as the dominant Mediterranean power. With a doctrine based on speed, flexibility, and overwhelming force, Italy’s navy became the key enforcer of Caroni’s imperial ambitions, securing Italian holdings in the Mediterranean, Africa, and beyond.