Tenth multi-purpose frigate launched for the Italian Navy

摘要

The launching ceremony of the multi-purpose frigate Emilio Bianchi (F 589), the tenth and last FREMM combatant, took place at the integrated shipyard of Riva Trigoso (Genoa) in the presence of the Italian Minister of Defence, Lorenzo Guerini. The ten ships in the class have been commissioned to Fincantieri within the framework of an Italo-French cooperation programme under the coordination of OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Cooperation sur l'Armement), the European intergovernmental organisation that facilitates and manages collaborative armament programmes. Godmother of the ceremony was Mrs. Maria Elisabetta Bianchi, first daughter of Emilio Bianchi, Golden Medal for Military Value. After the launching, fitting activities will continue in the integrated naval shipyard of Muggiano (La Spe-zia), with delivery of the frigate scheduled in 2021. Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51 percent Fincantieri, 49 percent Leonardo) acts as prime contractor in the Italian part of the FREMM programme, while Armaris (Naval Group plus Thales) is prime contractor for the French part.