The firing exercise was intended to verify the vessel’s capability to engage airborne targets. The test comes amid ongoing military activity in the Middle East, highlighting the relevance of such capabilities.
The SAAM ESD system integrates a command and control module, Naval Group A50 vertical launch systems and Aster 15 or Aster 30 missiles. It is linked with the SADOC Mk4 combat management system and supported by radar systems within the Kronos Dual Band family.
On board Raimondo Montecuccoli, the system operates with the Kronos Quad radar working in the E/F frequency band. The configuration enables detection and engagement of aerial threats as part of the ship’s defensive suite.
Raimondo Montecuccoli is currently the only vessel in Italian Navy service in the PPA Light Plus configuration. It remains the sole representative of this variant following the transfer of two other ships of the same class to Indonesia.
The Pattugliatore Polivalente d’Altura programme includes three configurations, ranging from the Light to the Full variant. The Light Plus version represents an intermediate capability between these two configurations.
The vessel was ordered in 2014, with keel laying taking place on 8 November 2018 and launch on 13 March 2021. It was delivered to the Italian Navy on 27 September 2023.
The ship has a full displacement of 5,880 tonnes and measures 143 metres in length. Its CODLAG propulsion system combines a gas turbine, diesel engines and electric motors to achieve a top speed of 27 knots and a range of 5,000 nautical miles.
Its armament includes a 127 mm main gun, a 76 mm gun and two remotely operated 25 mm systems. The vessel is also equipped with vertical launch modules capable of firing Aster missiles and can be fitted with anti-ship missiles.
The ship features a flight deck and hangar capable of supporting one AW101 helicopter or two smaller NH90 helicopters. These capabilities enable the vessel to conduct a wide range of naval operations alongside its air defence role.
