The team will continue with an unchanged all-Italian lineup of Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso, the duo having taken fifth and seventh last year.

In addition, Casey Stoner and Michele Pirro will be retained in test rider roles.

Ducati already completed eight official pre-season testing days - two at Valencia, three at Sepang and three at Phillip Island - and has another three left in Qatar before the start of the 2016 campaign.

"We had minor issues in the first two tests but we showed improvements at Phillip Island," said Dovizioso.

"I believe we have all what it takes to lead, I have high expectations for the Qatar test."

Iannone added: "I think it's a good bike, we went through a positive year in 2015 and made a step forward.

"2016 will be difficult because we have high expectations and we have to be up to the task."

The Ducati Desmosedici series was started back in 2003 and delivered both the manufacturers' and riders' title in 2007 with Stoner.

The Ducati factory team is the only squad set to race the 2016-spec bike, with satellite teams Pramac Racing, Avintia Racing and Aspar Racing using older versions.