In southern Europe, there have been important developments
from a Naval perspective. In Italy, where a long battle to restore fixed-wing aviation to the
Fleet resulted in the commissioning of Guiseppe Garibaldi in 1985, the new
'Andrea Doria' class carrier is planned to enter service in 2007. This
ship is an ingenious hybrid design that meets the differing requirements
to operate aircraft, to act as an amphibious ship and to include Ro-Ro
capabilities. The first of the new air defence `Horizon' class destroyers
will enter service in the same year. The French and Italian governments
signed a contract with prime contractor Horizon SAS for the development
and construction of four new-generation AAW frigates, two for each Navy.
Horizon frigates are front-line fighting ships designed primarily to
provide anti-air defence for local area cover or extended cover against
saturation missile attacks.
Italy's 26,660-ton Nuova Unita Maggiore (NUM, major
new unit) was ordered on 22 November for delivery in 2007. The
776-foot-long ship initially is to carry either eight Harriers or a dozen
EH.101 helicopters (or a mix), although she would be an ideal eventual
platform for the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter (JFS). Work began at Muggiano
on the first of two German-designed Type 212A submarines on 3 July 1999
and on the second a year later, but the pair will not enter Italian Navy
service until 2005 and 2006. Meanwhile, the two Italian-designed,
1,862-ton Primo Longobardo-class and the two 1,662-ton Salvatore
Pelosi-class submarines are receiving new equipment to extend their
service life.
Italy is also building two very similar classes of offshore
patrol ships that resemble small frigates but that are only minimally
armed. The first of four NUMC (Nuove Unitá Minori Combattenti)
variants of the design, the 1,520-ton Comandante Cigale Fulgosi,
was launched on 7 October for delivery next February. In August, two
1,580-ton NUPA-Nuove Unitá per il Pattugliamento d'Altura (New
High-Seas Patrol Ships) variants of the design, the Sirio and the Orione,
were ordered. Both classes share the same 291-foot hull, and both have a
helicopter flight deck and hangar.
Ships of the Italian Navy:
Aircraft Carriers :
- Guiseppe Garibaldi class VSTOL aircraft carrier
The flagship of the Italian Navy is the aircraft carrier MM
Garibaldi, built by Fincantieri of Genoa and commissioned in 1985.
Garibaldi (C551) is classed as a CVS – Aircraft Carrier ASW
(Anti-submarine Warfare). The ship is capable of carrying 18 helicopters
or an air squadron of vertical or short take-off and landing (VSTOL)
aircraft.The ship's command and control system is the IPN 20 supplied by
Alenia Marconi Systems. IPN 20 gathers information from the ship's sensors
and from the communications and data networks in order to compile and
display the tactical situation.
The ship's long-range surface-to-surface missile system, the MBDA
(formerly Alenia) Otomat , two launchers on the port and two on the
starboard side. The MBDA Albatros surface-to-air missile system provides
short-range point defence.The system uses the Aspide missile. Aspide has a
semi-active radar seeker and a range of 14km. Forty-eight Aspide missiles
are carried. The ship can accommodate up to 18 helicopters, for example
the Agusta Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King or the Agusta Bell AB212. Alternatively
the ship can accommodate 16 AV-8B Harrier II aircraft, or a mix of
helicopter and Harriers.
- Andrea Doria NUM) AIRCRAFT CARRIER
On the 22 November 2000, a contract was
drawn up between Fincantieri and the Ministry of Naval Defence to supply
an aircraft carrier vessel, better known as a "new major
vessel", to the Italian Navy. Building work on the new vessel which
will be named the Andrea Doria, began at Fincantieri's shipyards in Riva
Trigoso and Muggiano in July 2001 and the ship will be delivered in
2007.
The ship will have a standard displacement of about 22,000t, an overall
length of about 235m and a speed of no less than 29 knots; it will be able
to accommodate up to 1,290 people on board comprising a maximum landing
force of 450.The ship's strongest features will be its high flexibility in
operational terms, its capacity to carry out the functions of an aircraft
carrier and the transport of wheeled and tracked vehicles for both
military and civil defence missions.
Surface Combatants :
- Horizon Class Destroyer
The French and Italian governments signed a contract with
prime contractor Horizon SAS for the development and construction of four
new-generation AAW frigates, two for each Navy. The Italian vessels will
replace the frigates Ardito and Audace. They will be built at the
Fincantieri shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano near Genoa and
delivered in mid-2007 and early 2009, respectively.
Horizon frigates are front-line fighting ships designed primarily to
provide anti-air defence for local area cover or extended cover against
saturation missile attacks. The most representative mission for the
vessels and their powerful anti-submarine and anti-air self-defence
systems will be the protection of carrier groups, as when the Italian
vessels escort the Giuseppe Garibaldi or the Andrea Doria. With a
displacement of 6,500 tons for an overall length of 150m and a maximum
speed of 29kts, Horizon AAW frigates will offer remarkable combat
capabilities and fire power. The combat systems, now being developed under
a European cooperation effort, will feature the PAAMS anti-air missile
system and the SLAT anti-torpedo system.
- Vittorio Veneto helicopter cruiser
The Vittorio Veneto is a purpose built
helicopter cruiser that followed from the design of the Andrea Doria class
of the 1950s. The addition of a second deck gave her a much greater
helicopter capacity. A large central lift is set immediately aft of
the superstructure and two sets of fin stabilizers make her a very steady
helicopter platform. She has gone through two major refits in 1981 and
1984 which have upgraded her weaponry and radars. Her previous role of
Italian flagship was handed over to the carrier Guiseppe Garibaldi in
1995.
- Luigi Durand de la Penne class destroyers
The Durand De La Penne destroyers are 5000t multi-role
warships able to perform anti-air defence for protecting task forces and
convoys, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations, assistance
during landing operations and coastal bombardment. destroyers were built
by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy. The first-of-class ship, MM Luigi
Durand De La Penne (D560), and the second, MM Francesco Mimbelli (D561),
were commissioned in 1993.
The ship's surface-to-surface missile system is the MBDA (formerly
Alenia) OTOMAT Mk2.The Albatros Mark 2 medium-range surface-to-air missile
system is supplied by MBDA (Alenia) of Rome. The Albatros system employs
the semi-active Aspide missile to provide the ship with point defence.
Range is 15km.The ship is also equipped with the Raytheon Standard Missile
SM-2MR Tartar GMLS Mark 13 missile system for defence against medium-range
airborne targets.
The ship is equipped with a helicopter deck and a hangar with
facilities for two helicopters such as the Agusta Bell AB 212, the Sea
King SH-3D or the EH-101.
- Audace class destroyers
The Audace class was derived from the Impavido class but
incorparated a number of modifications in weapons and detection systems.
Two ships were built D 550 Ardito and D 551 Audace. The ship's surface to surface missile system is the Otomat by MBDA
(formerly Alenia and Matra BAe Dynamics). The ship is also equipped with the Raytheon Standard Missile
SM-2MR Tartar GMLS Mark 13 missile system for defence against medium-range
airborne targets.
- Maestrale class frigates
The Maestrale class is an improved design of the Lupo Class.
The armerment and detection systems were also greatly improved. Eight
Maestrale frigates were built in total. Armerment includes 4 OTO Melara
Teseo Mk 2 anti-ship missiles and a Selenia Albatros octuple launcher
armed with the Aspide surface to air missile.
The helicopter hangar can hold 2 AB 212 ASW helicopters.
- Lupo (Artigliere) class light frigates
The Lupo (Artigliere) class light frigates, operational with
the Italian Navy, were built by Fincantieri. They were initially built for
Iraq, but delivery was cancelled following the United Nations embargoes
against Iraq in 1990. New weapons and communications systems were fitted
to meet the requirements of the Italian Navy. The helicopter deck at the
stern has a single landing spot for an Agusta Bell AB 212 helicopter.
The ship's surface to surface missile system is the Otomat by MBDA
(formerly Alenia and Matra BAe Dynamics). The missile system has eight
Otomat Teseo Mark 2 missile launchers.For air defence, the ship is fitted
with the Albatros medium-range surface-to-air missile system from Alenia
Elsag Sistemi Navali (AESN). This consists of one eight-cell launcher for
the Aspide missile, which has a range of 15km and uses semi-active radar
homing to deliver a 33kg fragmentation warhead.The ship's main gun
installed on the bow deck is the Otobreda 127mm gun.
- Comandante Cigale Filose Patrol Frigates
The The Comandante Borsini represents a new light combatant
type with Alenia Marconi combat system and Elmer communications. It will
be used for economic zone security, safeguarding maritime borders and
patrolling international waters. The first of four NUMC (Nuove Unitá
Minori Combattenti) variants of the design, the 1,520-ton Comandante
Cigale Fulgosi, was launched on 7 October for delivery next February.
Armed only with a single 76-mm OTOBreda gun and a pair of 25-mm cannon,
the NUMCs are powered by two Wärtsilä NSD Italia diesels to provide
17,370 horsepower for 25-knot speeds.
- Sirio Class patrol vessels
In August, two 1,580-ton NUPA-Nuove Unitá per il
Pattugliamento d'Altura (New High-Seas Patrol Ships) variants of the
design, the Sirio and the Orione, were ordered. Equipped
with two 5,800-horsepower diesels for 22-knot speeds, the pair will have
no armament other than light machine guns but will have provision for
installation of a 76-mm gun and fire control system later, if needed. Both
classes share the same 291-foot hull, and both have a helicopter flight
deck and hangar.
Submarines :
- Primo Longobardo class coastal submarines
The Sauro class constitute the actual submarine fleet of the
Italian Navy. Built in Italy in the shipyards of Fincantieri of Monfalcone,
they have replaced the submarines of the Toti class and the American Romei
class. The Sauro class were delivered in 4 batches to the Italian navy
with every batch small modifications and improvements. In order to
increase to service life of the Sauro class 6 of the total of 8 will
be going through an upgrade process receiving new STN-Atlas Elektronik ISUS-90-20 combat data
and control systems, new silencing measures, and new ship control systems
in a program to be completed next year.
First & Second Batch : Nazario Sauro class
Third Batch : Salvatore Pelosi class
Fourth Batch : Primo Longobardo class
- U212A
Italian and German Ministry of Defence delegates signed a
"Memorandum of understanding" concerning a cooperation program for the
construction of new generation submarines derivate from the original U-212
German project: the U 212 A. Joining this program, Italian Navy new Submarines will be
created with the U-212A Project, based on the original U-212 German Project but
modified in some important details such as the operating depth and the
implementation of several italian technologies. The U-212A will be a
Conventional Submarine with Anaerobic capabilities based on a combined Diesel and
"Fuel Cell" propulsion System.
Work began at Muggiano on the first of
two German-designed Type 212A submarines on 3 July 1999 and on the second a year
later, but the pair will not enter Italian Navy service until 2005 and 2006.
Amphibious Ships :
- San Giorgio class small dock landing ships
The three San Giorgio class amphibious transport dock ships
in service with the Italian Navy were built by Fincantieri at their Riva
Trigoso shipyard. The ships provide roll-on/roll-off landing
capability for land embarkation; air lift through the use off high
capacity aircraft such as Chinook-type helicopters; and transportation by
sea to shore, using the ship's own systems and landing ships for landing
on unprepared shores.
The San Giorgio class ships can lift a battalion of troops, with up to
30 medium tanks, or 36 tracked armoured vehicles. The stern floodable dock
can accommodate three LCM (or MTM) landing craft.San Giorgio and San Marco
are to be modified to increase the flight deck for helicopter operations.
The 76mm gun mount and two port side davits for LCVP's will be removed,
giving space for a new central flight deck. This will allow two EH 101
helicopters and two medium helicopters (NH 90 or AB 212) to be launched at
the same time.
Replenishment Ships :
- Etna small replenishment oiler
The purpose of the Marina Militare MM Etna is to fully
support the long-range missions of a naval squadron, which would typically
include an aircraft carrier and complete escort. The Etna (A5326) is a
naval replenishment and logistic support ship built for the Italian Navy
by Fincantieri at their Riva Trigoso Naval Shipyard. MM Etna has a limited
weapons fit for self defence. The ship is equipped with a surface search
radar (RASS) supplied by Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS), an AMS CTI 20
command and control system and an Elmer MAC integrated telecommunications
system.
MM Etna is fitted with a single spot flight deck, measuring 28 x 16m.The
helicopter facilities give the ship the capability to re-supply warships
by vertical replenishment (VERTREP).Two ships can be replenished at the
same time using four Replenishment at Sea/ Fuel at Sea (RAS/FAS) stations
on two frames.The cargo capacity includes 4,700t diesel fuel, 5,400t of
diesel fuel overload, 1,200t of aviation fuel, and 160t of fresh water.
The ship also has capacity for up to twelve storage containers.
- Stromboli class small fleet oilers
Displacement:
8,706 tons full load Dimensions: 129 x 18 x 6.5 meters (423 x
59 x 21 feet) Propulsion: 2 diesels, 1 shaft, 11,200 bhp, 19.5
knots Crew: 124 Aviation: aft helicopter deck Cargo: 1,370
tons fuel oil, 2,830 tons diesel, 480 tons aviation fuel, 200 tons misc
stores Fire Control: SPG-70 gun control Armament: 1 76mm/62
DP, 2 20 mm
Aircraft :
- Harrier VSTOL carrier fighter and bomber
The Harrier II Plus (AV-8B), manufactured by BAE SYSTEMS and
Boeing, is a V/STOL fighter and attack aircraft operational with the
Italian Navy.The Marina Military bought 16 Harrier AV-8B Harrier Plus and
and two TAV-8B two-seat trainers. The Harrier II Plus extends the
capabilities of the Harrier and is the latest addition to the family of
Harrier aircraft. The Harrier II Plus is equipped with a multi-mode radar
and has beyond-visual-range missile capability.
The Harrier II Plus is capable of deploying a wide range of weapon
systems including the air-to-air AMRAAM and Sparrow missiles,
air-to-surface AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and anti-ship Harpoon and Sea
Eagle missiles, 25mm cannon and a range of bombs and rockets.
- Agusta Bell AB-212 Sikorsky SH-3D
Three squadrons operate the Agusta-Bell AB212.ASW, which
first entered service in 1968. About 50 remaining from the 68 ordered.The
AB212.ASW is an anti-submarine version also used for light transport and
liaison duties. For example to grant support to the operational
group 'San Marco' Marines battalion and Comsubin intruder
battalions.
They are due to be replaced by the NH-90 from 2004.
- Sikorsky SH-3D/H
The Italian SH-3D is identical to the American model,
apart from the installation of a Teledyne Doppler radar and a search radar
on the left side of the nose. Nineteen Agusta built SH-3Ds and ten SH-3H
are in service with the Italian Navy.
Main Task of the SH-3D is ASW, but they are also heavily tasked with
transport and for operations within the Naval Intruder Force, Comsubin.
The SH-3D as been in service with the Italian Navy for over 30 years and
is due for replacement by the EH 101 and NH-90.
- Brequet Atlantic
On 31 July 1974, Dassault-Breguet delivered the 18th Breguet
1150 Atlantic maritime patrol aircraft ordered by the Italian government.
The Italian Airforcr provides the flight crew while the Navy provides the
System operators.
The Br 1150 Atlanticis used for for Maritime patrol, anti-submarine
missions and maritime SAR. These aircraft have been updated but are
nearing the end of their service life. Germany and Italy signed a
Memorandum of Understanding allowing for a joint definition phase. This
will run until 31 January 2001 and is aimed at producing a detailed
request for proposals for a new Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
- EH 101
The EH101 medium-lift utility helicopter is manufactured by
AgustaWestland, a joint venture company comprising Agusta and Westland
Helicopters. Italy and Great Britain signed a Memorandum of Understanding
in 1979 to develop a medium lift helicopter and the result was the EH
101.
Italy has ordered 16 EH101s for the Marina Militare Italiana. These
will be eight ASW with L-3 Communications HELRAS active dipping sonar,
four AEW and four utility helicopters. The helicopter’s primary roles
are anti-surface ship and submarine warfare, tracking and surveillance,
amphibious operations and search-and-rescue missions.Merlin has the
capacity to carry up to four homing torpedoes or depth bombs. The
anti-surface version is able to carry a range of air-to-surface missiles
including sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.
- NH-90 Nato Frigate Helicopter
The NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH) is one of two versions of
the NH90 twin-engine multi-role helicopter being developed by NH
Industries. The Italian Navy has ordered 46 NH-90 NFHs. The primary
missions of the NH90 NFH helicopter are in the autonomous anti submarine
warfare (ASW) and anti-surface ship warfare (AsuW) role. Secondary roles
include anti-air warfare (AAW), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), search
and rescue (SAR), troop transport and mine laying.
The cockpit has five 8in x 8in colour multifunction liquid crystal
displays for flight, mission systems and maintenance data.The NATO Frigate
Helicopter can be armed with anti-submarine torpedoes, air-to-surface
missiles and air-to-air missiles.The NFH is equipped with a tactical
forward-looking infrared system (FLIR) mounted in the nose, a magnetic
anomaly detector (MAD) and a sonar suite. The NFH is equipped with a 360°
surveillance radar mounted under the nose.
