On Monday 8 July, a delegation from the Navy of the Republic of Singapore, led by rear admiral Augustine Lim Kian Hua, head of naval operations and accompanied by CV Marco Corsi, Italian defense attaché for Singapore and Thailand, visited the naval base of La Spezia.
The program of the visit was initially developed at the command of the Mine Countermeasure Forces, where the Singaporean representation was welcomed by the captain of the vessel Luca Traversaro, chief of staff of MARICODRAG who illustrated the peculiarities of the command to the visitors by taking them on a tour of Nave Numana, typical unit Mine Hunter Coastal (Coastal Minehunter) asset specially designed for the localization and deactivation/destruction of naval mines. The delegation was able to observe the sophisticated sonar system of the Numana which can be spun up to 40 meters deep, and the two wire-guided ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) vehicles, through which it is possible to detect and investigate every object lying on the seabed up to a depth of approximately 600 metres.
The delegation was subsequently received by the commander of the first naval division, rear admiral Massimo Bonu, on board the frigate Luigi Rizzo, sixth unit of the FREMM class and second in configuration General Purpose (GP). The commander of the unit, frigate captain Catia Pellegrino, illustrated the capabilities and characteristics of the European Multi Mission Frigates, especially the peculiarities of the GP version, which due to its discovery and armament capabilities represent an important operational element of the Naval Squadron and with which the Navy contributes to the fulfillment of the institutional tasks of territorial defense and surveillance, protecting national interests and safeguarding the freedom of maritime communications routes. The FREMM class units are designed with technological innovation and flexibility of use in mind. In fact, they can also be used for humanitarian assistance and relief missions in the event of natural disasters, thanks to the ability to conduct telemedicine interventions and provide drinking water and electricity to the affected populations.
Admiral Lim expressed great appreciation both for the welcome received in La Spezia and for the availability shown in wanting to present, to a guest who is geographically distant but close in terms of cooperation in the defense sectors, the capabilities of the naval instrument of the Navy, highlighting its the operational potential, the peculiar modularity characteristics and the very high flexibility of use. These elements are more necessary than ever in the current global geostrategic context.
