The Italian Navy has received the third Frégate Européen multi-mission (FREMM) vessel, Carlo Margottini, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, La Spezia, Italy.

Delivery of the anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-configured vessel is part of a contract awarded to Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, to build ten vessels for the Italian Navy to replace the aging Fincantieri-built Lupo and Maestrale-class ships by 2021.

Italy will receive the vessels in two versions, an anti-submarine warfare model and a general purpose vehicle.

Under the FREMM programme, Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (51% Fincantieri, 49% Finmeccanica) is the prime contractor for Italy, while joint venture firm between DCNS and Thales, Armaris, is the prime contractor for France.

The 144m long Carlo Bergamini has a displacement capacity of 6,700t, a maximum speed of 27k and an accommodation capacity of 145, with 55 extra personnel.

The Italian FREMM vessels will be armed with the SAAM Aster 15 missile system, Teseo Mk2 sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and MBDA's Milas all-weather weapon system, to support anti-air warfare missions.

The ships will also be equipped with EMPAR G-band multifunction phased array radar and Galileo Avionica silent acquisition surveillance system to serve as a infrared search and track system.

The Italian Navy's FREMM vessels will operate at national level and will cooperate in international missions, contributing to European, NATO and United Nations operations.

Carabiniere, the third ship in the ASW version, is scheduled to be launched on 29 March.
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