The Emilio Bianchi is the tenth FREMM frigate built for Italy and the second in the “ASW enhanced” configuration, designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare. Representatives from the defence industry, OCCAR-EA, and Italian national authorities collaborated to ensure all contractual conditions were met for the ship and its crew to safely proceed to sea.
This achievement represents a critical step in the frigate’s path to formal acceptance by the Italian Navy, currently planned for July 2025. Remarkably, this delivery is expected to occur three months ahead of the contractual schedule, demonstrating the efficiency of the programme.
According to plans, the Emilio Bianchi will undergo its final sea trials by May 2025. These trials will rigorously assess the ship’s compliance with operational requirements and refine onboard systems and equipment to ensure optimal performance before its official transfer.
The FREMM programme continues to expand, with procurement underway for two additional ships in the new ‘Evolution’ configuration. These future vessels aim to enhance the Italian Navy’s capabilities further, underscoring the strategic importance of the programme.
“This event is another key milestone on the way to the delivery of the ship to the Italian Navy,” OCCAR said in a statemen, highlighting the significance of the First Sea Going in certifying readiness for further trials and operational use.
Source: OCCAR.
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