On 12 August 2021, on a hot summer day in August and in strict compliance with all current health requirements, the first sea outing for the new amphibious assault unit of the Italian Navy took place in the waters of the Gulf of La Spezia. .
About three and a half years after the setting up of the first block on the port as part of the Nave outfitting Trieste at the integrated shipyard of Fincantieri Muggiano, sea trials have begun (so-called sea trials). A complex and varied test program, which will see the unit engaged, for over a year, in activities aimed at verifying the functionality of the platform and combat systems conducted by technical personnel of the Private Industry under the supervision of the Navy, to ensure strict compliance with contractual military requirements.
The construction of this unit - entirely built at the historic and revitalized shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) - is part of the important framework of the naval renewal program of the Italian offshore military fleet, launched with the 2014 stability law, " in order to ensure the maintenance of adequate capabilities in the maritime sector to protect national defense interests ".
Ship Trieste, LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock) unit, with L 9890 optical badge, has been designed to carry out broad-spectrum missions, taking advantage of its intrinsic flexibility of use and capacity reconfiguration. It is therefore capable of expressing, without solution of continuity, a significant long-range force projection, on the sea and from the sea, of multiple operational, military and humanitarian support assets, with high readiness wherever it is required.
The unit will accommodate a complex command of naval component (NATO MCC) or a command of amphibious task force (CATF), as well as transporting and projecting an amphibious force of about 600 u. To the ground, using its large floodable basin, and using the most modern aircraft currently supplied to the Navy. In key dual-use, its flexibility of use and the presence on board of a hospital equipped with autonomous diagnostic, operative, and hospitalization capacity with the possibility of ensuring intensive care treatment, will allow it to participate in interministerial humanitarian relief activities on the occasion of extraordinary events / natural disasters.
With an overall length of 245 meters, a displacement of approximately 38.000 tons when fully loaded, and a flight deck 230 meters long and approximately 55 meters wide (including elevators), the multi-role amphibious ship Trieste, whose launch - we recall - took place on 25 May 2019 in Castellammare di Stabia in the presence of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella (with his daughter Laura as godmother of the ceremony), is preparing to be delivered to the Navy at the end of the year 2022, representing , in fact, the largest naval unit ever built in Italy from the post-war period to today, in total and rigorous synergy of intent - in the maritime field - between the Navy and the National Industry of excellence, a striking example of the design and technological skills in the world. The construction and outfitting of the Trieste ship are followed daily by the staff of the new shipbuilding equipment center (MARINALLES) andLHD program office of technical directorate for naval armaments (NAVARM).
Ship motto Trieste: "Fulge super mare" (It shines on the sea), for Italy's leadership on the sea.
