Biagio Abrate,

Knight Grand Cross Grand Cross is the highest class in many orders, and manifested in its insignia. Exceptionally, the highest class may be referred to as Grand Cordon or equivalent. In other cases, there may exist a rank even higher than Grand Cross, e.g. Grand ...

(born 8 November 1949) is a retired Italian general who served as Chief of Defence Staff.

Life and career

Born in Sant'Albano Stura, he was admitted at

Military Academy of Modena The Military Academy of Modena ( it, Accademia militare di Modena) is a military university in Modena, northern Italy. Located in the Palazzo Ducale in the historic center of the city, it was the first such military institution to be created in ...

and he graduated with the rank of tenente in 1974. From 1975 to 1979 he held the posts of platoon and company commander in various battalion of mountain infantry, from 1979 he held a position at the Alpini Formation Center in Aosta. From 1987 to 1990 he had his staff assignment and from 1990 to 1992 he led Bassano alpine infantry battalion in Innichen. After other staff duties he led

Alpine Brigade Taurinense Alpine may refer to any mountainous region. It may also refer to: Places Europe * Alps, a European mountain range ** Alpine states, which overlap with the European range Australia * Alpine, New South Wales, a Northern Village * Alpine National Pa ...

from 1998 to 2000, from July to November 2000 he led Multinational Brigade West in Kosovo. From 2001 to 2007 he led the staff of

Italian Minister of Defence This Italian Ministers of Defence ( it, Ministro della Difesa) is a senior member of the Italian Cabinet who leads the Ministry of Defence. The minister is responsible for military and civil defence matters and managing the Italian Armed Forces. ...

serving under 3 different ministers. In 2007 he was named head of the Italian procurement defence agency. In 2010 the Italian president Giorgio Napolitano following the advice of the council of ministers named Abrate Chief of the Defence Staff.

Honour

* : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (10 february 2010)

References

, - {{DEFAULTSORT:Abrate, Biagio Italian generals 1949 births Living people Chiefs of Defence Staff (Italy) People from the Province of Cuneo Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic