First Italian FREMM Frigate Launched

ITALIA-(IDB) : Today the Riva Trigoso (Genoa) shipyard celebrated the launch of the frigate “Carlo Bergamini”, the first of a series of Fremm vessels - Multi Mission European Frigates - ordered from Fincantieri by the Italian Navy within the framework of an Italo-French program of cooperation.

Godmother to the ship was Mrs Maria Bergamini Loedler, granddaughter of Admiral Carlo Bergamini. The frigate was named in honour of Admiral of the Fleet, Carlo Bergamini, who was decorated for military valour after sinking with his battleship, the Roma, on 8th September 1943.

Present at the ceremony were, General Biagio Abrate, Chief of Defence, Admiral Bruno Branciforte, First Sea Lord and Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri and Corrado Antonini, Chairman of Fincantieri.

The vessel, which is due for delivery in early 2012, will feature a high degree of flexibility, capable of operating in all tactical situations. 139 metres long with a beam of 19.7 metres, the ship will have a displacement at full load of approximately 5,900 tonnes. The “Carlo Bergamini” will have a maximum speed of over 27 knots and will provide accommodation for a crew of 145.

The ships in the FREMM program constitute state of the art vessels of European and Italian defence in the Mediterranean and will replace the “Lupo” and “Maestrale” class frigates built by Fincantieri in the 1970s.

Participating in the initiative as prime contractor for Italy is Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri, 49% Finmeccanica) and, as prime contractor for France, Armaris (DCNS + Thales).

The cooperation has drawn of the highly positive experience of the previous Italo-French program “Orizzonte” under which two frigates were built for the Italian Navy, the ”Andrea Doria” and the “Caio Duilio”

Source: Defencetalk