The Chief of Defense Staff, General Claudio Graziano, attended the launch of the ship "Federico Martinengo" this morning at the Fincantieri plant in Riva Trigoso - Sestri Levante (GE).
"I accepted with great pleasure the possibility of being here today to greet the launch of the Martinengo ship because it is a great satisfaction to see a new offshore naval unit enter service, an advanced combat system, an essential component in the Defense and security system that we are building to guarantee the security of the country, international security and to ensure that Italy maintains the prestige and role it has had up to now."General Graziano stressed during his speech in which he greeted the Minister of defense Roberta Pinotti.
"As Chief of Defense and Head of International Operations - has continued - I am absolutely convinced of the need for total inter-force integration and of that process of changes that was recently approved by the government with the approval of the White Paper for international security and defense promoted by Minister Pinotti."
"The armed forces - continued General Graziano - They are engaged in a process of optimization of the commands and top management structures in an interforce way precisely in order to have more operational forces available, more operational capabilities in line with what the larger countries have done and also in line with the will and seriousness which distinguishes our process of creating an effective defense and security system."
Speaking of the great current commitment of the defense, the head of the SMD pointed out that "at this time numerous ships are plying the Mediterranean to ensure the safety of communication lines in particular towards the Libyan chessboard, numerous planes guarantee the safety of the skies, land forces are deployed in operations in numerous sections of crisis while personnel of the carabinieri and the financial police carry out internal security activities, in a synthesis that no longer allows at an operational and preparation level to have any individualism or selfishness but which instead must highlight the great identity and personality of each of the operational forces in expressing their abilities to the maximum."
"As commander I sometimes have to make decisions that could put our soldiers, sailors, aviators and carabinieri at risk, but these risks must never derive from an inadequacy or insufficiency of weapon systems, or from a lack of training and equipment. because our military must be placed in the best conditions to serve our country, to reaffirm, as has been shown, that our armed forces are among the best in the world. We therefore welcome the entry into service of a ship like this with cutting-edge technology and applause to the Italian shipbuilding industry and to the latest international successes that honor us as Italian citizens and servants of the state.". General Graziano concluded.
The ceremony was also attended by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Valter Girardelli, the CEO of Fincantieri Giuseppe Bono and the President of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti.
