Italian Navy welcomes 10th and final FREMM frigate

The Italian Navy has taken delivery of Emilio Bianchi, the tenth in a series of ten new European multi-mission frigates (FREMM).

As informed, the delivery of the tenth vessel took place on July 30, 2025, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). Orizzonte Sistemi Navali was commissioned as the prime contractor and whole warship and combat system design authority under the Italian-French international cooperation agreement. The contract was signed with Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR).

With the delivery of the Emilio Bianchi, the construction of the naval units in the anti-submarine enhanced configuration under the FREMM program has been completed.

This is one of the most ambitious European initiatives in naval defense, launched in 2005, with the first ship delivered in May 2013.

The program involved the construction of ten units: four in the general-purpose configuration, four in the anti-submarine warfare configuration, and two in the anti-submarine enhanced configuration.

Emilio Bianchi, built at Fincantieri’s Integrated Shipyard in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, is equipped with the most advanced systems developed by Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA, and Elettronica.

Like the other FREMM units, it is characterized by high operational flexibility and is capable of operating in all tactical scenarios.

The ship is 144 meters long, 19.7 meters wide, and has a full-load displacement of approximately 6,700 tons. It can reach speeds of over 27 knots and accommodate up to 200 people onboard.

According to Fincantieri, FREMM frigates represent a technological benchmark in Europe, standing out for their innovative features and high cyber resilience.

To remind, the ninth ship in this class, Spartaco Schergat, was handed over in April this year.

In line with the objectives of the FREMM project, two next-generation Evolution frigates – called FREMM EVO – are currently under construction at Fincantieri’s integrated shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano, with delivery scheduled for 2029 and 2030, respectively.

The keel for the first of two new FREMM EVO frigates was laid last month.