Amphibious assistance

摘要

The Italian Navy has added to recent orders for six multipurpose offshore patrol ships, known by their Italian acronym PPA, and a logistics support ship, with a €1.1 billion contract for an amphibious landing ship. The latest award is the last piece of a €5.4 billion fleet renewal programme. Once again the ships will be built by state-owned Fincantieri and equipped by the Italian defence group Finmeccanica, to include ten years of logistical support. The 22,000-tonne LHD is being presented as a multi-mission vessel. In addition to a main role of supporting military amphibious operations, it has also been designed as a command platform for crisis response operations in the event of natural disasters and large-scale humanitarian assistance. Second only in size to the aircraft carrier, Cavour, it will have a large flight deck with landing spots for five helicopters and 4,500m~2 of hangar and garage space. The design includes a fully equipped hospital, complete with operating rooms, and a hospital ward.