Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the submersible flotilla command of Taranto, the "First Cement Pouring" ceremony was held for the construction of the new Farinati Barracks, intended to house the submersible flotilla command.
The project includes the complete reconstruction of the barracks, necessary for the creation of a cutting-edge hub capable of fully satisfying the modern needs of the submarine component and, more generally, of the Navy.
The ambitious project aims to significantly improve the spaces dedicated to submarine support services and includes the adoption of sustainable technologies, offering modern and functional environments, in line with the most modern living and management standards.
Caserma Farinati has a rich history deeply intertwined with the needs of the Navy and its submarines. Originally built in the 40s, it is named after Lieutenant Commander Paolo Tolosetto Farinati degli Uberti, awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor for his heroic actions during the First World War.
The barracks hosted, starting in 1952, the reborn submarine command, providing operational and logistical support to the submarines for over half a century and becoming an important center for the aggregation, training and education of the crews.
The ceremony was presided over by the Commander in Chief of the Naval Fleet and Commander of the European Maritime Force, Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, who highlighted how the new barracks represents a fundamental element not only for operational efficiency, but also for the well-being of the crews, constantly engaged in missions in the seas around the world.
The ceremony was also attended by Admiral Dario Giacomin, Italian representative to the military committees of NATO and the European Union, as well as the dean in service of submariners, who underlined how the new structure will represent a point of reference, of aggregation for submariners and a solid platform for the future, from which to start for new challenges and innovations.
The start of construction of the new Farinati, as illustrated by the commander of the Submarines, Rear Admiral Vito Lacerenza, is part of a solid and broad process of innovation, modernization and enhancement of the overall capabilities of the submarine component. It is, in fact, part of several interventions already completed, in progress or in planning. Among these, the Submarine School of the flotilla command, dedicated to the reception and training of personnel or crews also coming from foreign navies. Furthermore, the reconstruction takes place in parallel with the strengthening of the operational capabilities of the submarine component which is realized through the construction of four new submarines Near Future Submarine, three currently under construction at Fincantieri's shipyards in La Spezia, the fourth recently contracted, carrying forward a process of innovation necessary to face, in the current international scenario, the challenges in the underwater dimension to protect national interests.
The reconstruction project was entrusted to the company Cobar Spa of Altamura and will be completed during 2026.
