“Fincantieri Launches Cutting-Edge FRMM Frigate: Meet the ‘Emilio Bianchi'”

The ceremony for the launch of the frigate “Emilio Bianchi,” the last ship in a series of 10 FREMM – European Multi-Mission Frigates – units commissioned from Fincantieri by the Italian Navy under the Italian-French cooperative agreement, managed by OCCAR, the joint body for European defense collaboration, was held today at the Riva Trigoso integrated shipyard.

The launch was presided over by Mrs. Maria Elisabetta Bianchi, descendant of the Gold Medal recipient for Military Valor, Emilio Bianchi.

The event was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino, who was welcomed by the President of Fincantieri, General Claudio Graziano, alongside the General Manager of Fincantieri’s Military Ships Division, Dario Deste. Among the distinguished guests were the President of the Regional Council, Gianmarco Medusei, the Director of the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), Joachim Sucker, and several civil and military officials.

Following the launch, the ship will undergo outfitting procedures at the Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia and is set for delivery in 2025. The “Emilio Bianchi” will possess, similar to the other FREMM vessels, remarkable operational flexibility and will be equipped for use in various tactical environments. It features dimensions of 144 meters in length, 19.7 meters in breadth, and a full load displacement of around 6,700 tons, with the capability to exceed speeds of 27 knots while accommodating approximately 200 crew members onboard.

In the sphere of maritime defense, FREMM – European Multi-Mission Frigate represents the most substantial collaborative effort among European companies. The FREMM program, symbolizing the height of Italian and European defense prowess, emerges from the need to upgrade the Navy’s fleet, which includes the “Lupo” and “Maestrale” classes, constructed by Fincantieri in the 1970s and 1980s.

The vessels delivered to date include Carlo Bergamini in 2012, Virginio Fasan in 2013, Carlo Margottini in 2014, Carabiniere in 2015, Alpino in 2016, Luigi Rizzo in 2017, Federico Martinengo in 2018, Antonio Marceglia in 2019, and Spartaco Schergat, which is currently under construction at the Muggiano site with an anticipated delivery in April 2025.