Riva Trigoso (Genoa) shipyard recently celebrated the launch of the frigate “Alpino”, the fifth of a series of 10 FREMM vessels – Multi Mission European Frigates, ordered from Fincantieri by the Italian Navy within the framework of an Italo-French program of cooperation.
The vessel, which is due for delivery in early 2016 in Muggiano (La Spezia), will feature a high degree of flexibility, capable of operating in all tactical situations. The ship, 144 metres long with a beam of 19.7 metres, will have a displacement at full load of approximately 6,700 tonnes. The “Alpino” will have a maximum speed of over 27 knots and will provide accommodation for a crew of 200.
The ships in the FREMM program represent the state of the art 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”.
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Press release, Image: Italian Navy