Commander of the Multinational Land Force

Gen. B. Francesco Suma took command of the Multinational Land Force (MLF) on July 17, 2026.

He served as Deputy Chief of the 4th Logistics Department of the Army General Staff from December 8, 2025, to July 12, 2026, following his appointment as Head of the Logistics Coordination Office, which he had held since September 4, 2023. In his role, he oversaw all investment programs for the modernization and renewal of the Armed Forces.

Born in Gorizia (GO) on October 4, 1975, he attended the 177th Course at the Modena Academy (1995-1997) and the Applied Artillery School in Turin (1997-2000), where he earned a degree in Political Science with a specialization in International Politics. In 2013-2014, he attended the 16th Joint General Staff Advanced Course, earning a Master's degree in International Strategic-Military Studies and qualification as a Military Legal Advisor. In 2022, he earned a Bachelor's degree in Strategic Sciences. In 2024, he earned a Master's degree in Global Strategy and Security from the University of Turin and the 75th Specialization Course in International Strategic-Military Studies.

His military education also includes the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth (USA, 2010-2011), where he was awarded the Military Order of Saint Barbara by the Commander of the US School of Artillery at Fort Sill, the 135th General Staff Course at the Institute of Military Studies in Turin (2010), the NATO General Staff Officers Course at the NATO School in Oberammergau (Germany, 2010) and the Joint Fire Support and Targeting Course at the Operations Information and Targeting Centre in Bracciano (2017).

During his career, the senior officer held several command positions at the 1st Mountain Artillery Regiment (2000-2005) and the Aosta Alpine Training Centre (2005-2007). From 2016 to 2018, he served as Commander of the "Aosta" Mountain Artillery Group in Fossano (Cuneo), and from October 1, 2021, to September 1, 2023, he served as the 43rd Commander of the 3rd Land Artillery Regiment (Mountain) in Remanzacco (UD), as well as Commander of the Val Susa - Valle d'Aosta Road Safety Group from June to December 2022.

During operations, he held the following command and staff positions: Platoon Commander in Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo, 2002), Fire Observer Officer in Afghanistan (Operation Nibbio, 2003), Protection Company Commander in the ISAF operation (Afghanistan, 2004-2005), Aide-de-Camp to the Head of Mission, and Force Commander of UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Afghanistan). Lebanon, 2007-2008), Chief of Operations. He served with the UNTSO-OGG (United Nations Truce Supervision Organization – Golan Heights Observer Group) Observer Mission in the Middle East (2008-2009) and was a Special Staff Officer at the Special Staff of the Head of Mission and Force Commander of UNIFIL, where he was responsible, among other things, for matters relating to the Department of Political and Civil Affairs (2015-2016), and Commander of the Italian Artillery Battalion within the NATO Joint Very High Readiness Force (VJTF) (from 2016 to 2018).

Additionally, from 2011 to 2015, he served with the Army General Staff and the Defence General Staff in Rome, holding the following roles: Officer in Charge of the 1st International Activities Section for Logistics of the Logistics Coordination Office (SME), Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Army General Staff, and, finally, Aide-de-Camp to the Chief of the Defence General Staff. From 2018 to 2020, he served as Head of the 1st Training Planning, Doctrine, and Lessons Learned Section of the Alpine Troops Command in Bolzano, and from 2020 to 2022, as Head of the Doctrine and Training Office of the same Command. From 2023 to 2025, he was the Army General Staff Representative on the Consultative Commission of the Association of Italian Knights of the Sovereign Order of Malta. From 2024 to 2026, he also served as the Armed Forces Representative to the Joint Steering Committee for the Arctic and Subarctic.

He speaks English, Spanish, and German, is a Military Ski Instructor, and is a winter sports enthusiast.

He is married to Malvina and has three daughters.