The European multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Carabiniere, after nearly six months in the waters of South East Asia, Australia and the Persian Gulf, returned to Italy yesterday, arriving in Civitavecchia where the next 9 June, during the celebration of Marina Day, in the presence of the President of the Republic, will receive the Combat Flag along with Ship Alpine, twin of the class.
With its approximately 180 crew members, the unit left the port of La Spezia last December 20 for a Naval Campaign that took it to three different continents, covering almost 28 thousand nautical miles and visiting numerous countries where the Unit has received the visit and attention of the highest political, institutional and local military authorities: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Djibouti, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Qatar.
In this period the Nave was visited by over eight thousand people among local citizens and members of the Italian community and, during the stop in Sydney, hosted the defense minister, sen. Roberta Pinotti.
Furthermore, in Malaysia the unit participated in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2017 (LIMA 2017), the most important defense sector exhibition in South East Asia.
The mission of Nave Carabiniere, under the command of the frigate captain Francesco Pagnotta, was to ensure presence, maritime surveillance, strengthen the cooperation activities already underway with some trans-regional allies and initiate relations with new potential partners, in the framework of the institutional tasks entrusted to Armed Force. In this context, numerous training activities were carried out with the Marines of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman, Qatar to improve interoperability. Particularly intense the training and cognitive program developed, at sea and in port, with the Australian navy having regard to the interest of the same for the capabilities of Nave Carabiniere and the consolidated relationships that unite the two countries.
The unit has covered, among other things, the important role of a real "ambassador" of the country in collaboration with diplomatic representations, providing a fundamental contribution in the promotion of Made in Italy, presenting Italian excellence and acting as an international showcase for the Italian industry in support of the “Italian System”. In this function Nave Carabiniere was able to count on the support of the partners who followed the Unit throughout the activity: Fincantieri (main sponsor), Leonardo, MBDA, Elettronica, Telespazio and DRASS.
This campaign has substantiated the international, European and global vision, which converges and outlines this beginning of the millennium as a "blue century" considering that of "blue growth" as a key factor on which to aim for a sustainable development of our country in a context where maritime transport represents a fundamental resource for commercial, occupational and technological growth. The marine and maritime sectors are fundamental for the global economy, since the 90% of trade takes place by sea and that, in the last decade, 75% of countries has increased their maritime capacity, both by increasing the size of the merchant fleets either by investing in port infrastructures, in the enabling function. The sea is therefore vital for Italy, for Europe and for the world, and the Marines have the primary function of guaranteeing their safety, free trade and free use.
