L 9890 Trieste – Italy's Largest Warship Enters Service
On 7 December in Livorno, the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) officially received and raised the flag on the universal Landing Helicopter Dock Trieste (L 9890). It is the largest warship to enter Italian Navy service since World War II.
The vessel was built as part of the Italian Navy's renewal programme (Programma di Rinnovamento Navale), which has been underway for more than a decade. This programme aims to modernize and strengthen the fleet. Not surprisingly, the event, combined with the swearing-in of 150 first-year cadets from the Livorno Naval Academy, was given a very solemn setting. The ceremony was attended by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, whose daughter Laura serves as Trieste's godmother. In addition, the Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto, top commanders of the Italian Navy, the President of the Tuscany Region Eugenio Giani, and the Mayor of Livorno Luca Salvetti were also present.
“This ship is yours, built for you and our country. This is the first time the Naval Academy cadet swearing-in ceremony is being held on a military ship. The Trieste is the result of the work of thousands of people: engineers, technicians, and workers. Few countries can create a work of such engineering and high technology that combines history, knowledge, and modern innovation. But an empty ship is only a tool: its heart is you, your values, ideals, and spirit of cooperation. Today, you take an oath to serve your country, which makes our armed forces unique and exceptional, as any oath does. To your families, I say: for your children, defence is now a new family that will never leave them,” said Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in his address to the cadets.
The adoption of the Italian fleet renewal programme in May 2015 enabled the signing of a contract for the construction of Marina Militare's first multipurpose landing ship (Unità Anfibia Multiruolo, UAM). The €1.126 billion contract was concluded on 1 July 2015 between the Italian Ministry of Defence and a consortium consisting of Fincantieri and Finmeccanica (now Leonardo). As part of this contract, €853 million went to Fincantieri and €273 million to Leonardo.
The hull of the Trieste was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia near Naples. The cutting of the first steel plates for the vessel took place on 12 July 2017, followed by the keel laying on 20 February 2018. The ship was launched on 25 May 2019. The vessel's hull was later towed to the Fincantieri shipyard in Muggiano, near La Spezia, where outfitting and preparations for sea trials began on 12 August 2021.
The new Italian landing ship is an impressive vessel with a standard displacement of 25,816 tons and a total displacement of 38,000 tons. It has a maximum hull length of 245 meters, a width of 47 meters, and a draft of 7.2 meters. The ship is equipped with a CODLOG power plant, featuring two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines (48,500 hp each), two MAN 20V32/44CR diesel engines (15,000 hp each), and two 5.2 MW electric motors for cruising at lower speeds. This propulsion system allows a top speed of 25 knots, an economy speed of 16 knots, and an electric motor speed of 10 knots. The vessel's range is expected to be 7,000 nautical miles at 16 knots, with an autonomy of 30 days.
Trieste is not an aircraft carrier but has the capacity to embark a substantial air group of 28–34 aircraft and helicopters. This group will include vertical take-off aircraft (STOVL) such as the Boeing AV-8B+ Harrier II or Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, as well as helicopters like the Leonardo AW101, NHIndustries NH90, or Leonardo AW129 Mangusta. The vessel features two separate superstructures, with flight operations directed from the aft tower.
Trieste boasts advanced sensors and weapons. The Kronos family radar complexes form the core of its systems. Additionally, the ship is equipped with the SPN-720 air traffic control radar, the CMS SADOC Mk 4 combat management system, and the Black Snake towed sonar for torpedo protection. It also includes robust electronic warfare systems such as the Zeus complex and the ODLS-20 multi-purpose and multi-spectral decoy launching system.
The launch deck and hangar are serviced by two lifts located on either side behind the aft superstructure. At the forward section of the launch deck, there is a ski-jump ramp to assist the take-off of STOVL aircraft. Directly below the take-off deck lies a 2,300 m² hangar that can accommodate up to 14 aircraft, depending on configuration. If fewer aircraft are embarked, the hangar can also be used to transport vehicles and cargo, providing an additional 530 meters of cargo line. Below the hangar is a cargo deck with a total area of 2,200 m², connected to the hangar by a ramp for wheeled vehicles. This deck includes a 55x19 meter vehicle garage (235 meters of load line) and a 50x15x9.2 meter submersible dock.
Trieste will replace the first Italian aircraft carrier, Giuseppe Garibaldi (C 551), which was present in Livorno, moored at the same pier as its successor. While primarily designed for amphibious operations, the new ship can perform a wide range of additional tasks. These include providing air defence for naval units, transporting and logistically supporting troops, serving as a command ship for land and sea operations, protecting maritime lines of communication, combating piracy, and conducting humanitarian missions during armed conflicts and natural disasters.
