Italian Navy Launches Tenth FREMM Frigate, the Emilio Bianchi

The first sea going is planned for the last quarter of 2024, with the ship expected to be delivered to the Italian Navy in the third quarter of 2025 after completing outfitting activities.

The Italian Navy has successfully launched its tenth FREMM frigate, the Emilio Bianchi, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Riva Trigoso on May 25, 2024, ahead of schedule and within expected timeframes. 

The Emilio Bianchi is an Anti-Submarine Warfare enhanced version of the FREMM frigate. So far, OCCAR-EA has delivered eight FREMM ships to the French Navy and eight of the ten ordered to the Italian Navy. Additionally, OCCAR-EA manages all Warship ISS (In-Service Support) for the entire Italian FREMM fleet.

Launched with its combat system and platform equipment already installed and integrated, the frigate will soon be transferred to the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia). The first sea going is planned for the last quarter of 2024, with the ship expected to be delivered to the Italian Navy in the third quarter of 2025 after completing outfitting activities.

This launch is a key milestone for the OCCAR FREMM Programme, a collaborative effort between Italy and France managed by OCCAR. The programme, under the supervision of OCCAR-EA FREMM SMs and the Italian Naval Directorate (NAVARM), is progressing swiftly, with both the ninth and tenth frigates scheduled for delivery to the Italian Navy in 2025.

The ceremony was hosted by Fincantieri’s Chairman Claudio Graziano and CEO Pierroberto Folgiero, with notable attendees including OCCAR-EA Director Joachim Sucker and Chief of the Italian Navy Admiral Enrico Credendino

The Emilio Bianchi is named in honour of an Italian military frogman who received a military gallantry medal during World War II. His daughter, Mrs. Elisabetta Bianchi, served as the godmother of the ceremony.

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