The Italian navy had prospered under the Fascist regime, which had paid for fast, well-built and well-armed ships and a large submarine fleet but the navy lacked experience and training.
Den italienske flåde havde haft gode tider under det fascistiske styre, som havde betalt for hurtige, velbyggede og velbevæbnede skibe og en stor undervandsbådsflåde, men flåden manglede erfaring og træning.