The Italian Navy has officially taken delivery of the multi-role frigate Emilio Bianchi, marking the final handover of the tenth FREMM-class vessel under the Italy-France naval cooperation program. The ceremony, held at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia, represents a milestone in one of Europe’s largest and most advanced naval defense projects. The delivery was attended by senior representatives across Italy’s naval and defense industrial base, including Dario Deste, General Manager of Fincantieri’s Naval Vessels Division; Giovanni Sorrentino, CEO of Orizzonte Sistemi Navali; Joachim Sucker, Director General of OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation); Rear Admiral Flavio Biaggi; Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte of NAVARM; and Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Deputy Chief of the Navy General Staff.
The FREMM (Fregata Europea Multi-Missione) Emilio Bianchi is the last of two vessels completed in the Anti-Submarine Enhanced (ASW-E) configuration, which offers improved capabilities in undersea warfare. This final delivery concludes the Italian Navy’s acquisition of ten FREMM-class frigates, consisting of four General Purpose variants, four dedicated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) variants, and two ASW Enhanced ships. Initiated in 2005, the Italy-France FREMM initiative has delivered significant advancements in European naval interoperability and technological development. The first Italian FREMM ship was delivered in 2013. The program is managed through OCCAR and executed by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture between Fincantieri and Leonardo.
Construction of two next-generation FREMM EVO (Evolution) frigates is currently underway at Fincantieri’s integrated shipyards in Riva Trigoso and Muggiano. These advanced variants are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030, further extending the legacy of the FREMM platform with upgraded systems and modularity. The Emilio Bianchi features a length of 144 meters, a beam of 19.7 meters, and a full-load displacement of approximately 6,700 tons. The vessel is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 27 knots and hosting up to 200 personnel. It incorporates advanced systems from major Italian defense firms including Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA, and Elettronica.
Like its sister ships, the Emilio Bianchi delivers robust multi-mission capability and high operational flexibility across various maritime warfare domains. The class boasts extensive automation, advanced cyber protection measures, and reduced maintenance needs, providing enhanced mission availability. Human factors engineering has also played a critical role in optimizing crew living conditions and operational workflows. With an operational range exceeding 6,000 nautical miles at cruising speed, the Emilio Bianchi and its sister ships are designed for sustained operations in both blue water and littoral environments well beyond the Mediterranean theatre. The FREMM program is regarded as a flagship of European naval cooperation and represents a pinnacle in modern warship design for NATO-aligned maritime forces. Its evolution into the FREMM EVO class is expected to further enhance Italy’s naval posture and operational readiness into the next decade.
