On July 31, 2025, the Italian Navy officially commissioned the “Emilio Bianchi” FREMM-class frigate during a handover ceremony at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia. As the tenth and final unit built under Italy’s participation in the multinational FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) program, this delivery concludes a 20-year-long industrial and defense cooperation effort between Italy and France.
The vessel was constructed by Orizzonte Sistemi Navali, a joint venture between Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%), serving as both prime contractor and design authority. Emilio Bianchi is the second unit in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Enhanced (ASW-E) configuration, following Spartaco Schergat delivered in April 2025. These two ships were ordered to replace the general-purpose FREMMs sold to Egypt in 2020.
Emilio Bianchi also signals the end of the Bergamini-class production and initiates the transition to the next-generation FREMM EVO line. Structurally, it merges elements from earlier GP and ASW configurations, with the most noticeable external modification being the replacement of the 11-meter RHIB station with the Thales CAPTAS-4 variable-depth sonar. Additional changes support improved electronic warfare and communications capabilities.
Internally, the frigate introduces a cutting-edge cyber protection system developed by Fincantieri NexTech, enabling crew to autonomously detect and address cyber anomalies without requiring immediate support from central naval command.
With a length of 144 meters, a beam of 19.7 meters, and a full-load displacement of about 6,700 tons, Emilio Bianchi is equipped with a CODLAG propulsion system. This setup allows the ship to operate silently and efficiently using electric motors at speeds up to 15.6 knots, and to exceed 27 knots under full propulsion.
The combat system includes Leonardo’s 127/64 mm Vulcano gun, Aster 15/30 missiles via Sylver A50 VLS, Teseo Mk2/A anti-ship missiles, MU90 torpedoes, and an integrated combat suite supporting manned and unmanned aerial platforms, including NH90 helicopters and ScanEagle or AWHero UAVs.
Italy’s FREMM initiative began with a 2005 agreement with France. In total, Italy ordered ten frigates: four GP, four ASW, and two ASW-Enhanced. FREMM EVO, the upcoming phase, will see delivery of two advanced variants in 2029 and 2030, with features such as dual-band AESA radar, Aster 30 B1NT integration, and open architecture support for unmanned systems.
The Emilio Bianchi delivery coincides with broader efforts outlined in Italy’s 2023–2025 Defence Planning Document, which includes new DDX destroyers, expanded offshore patrol vessel programs, U212 NFS submarines, and investment in unmanned systems and cyber resilience. FREMM, along with its EVO successors, remains one of Europe’s most significant naval programs in terms of operational capability, industrial cooperation, and strategic depth.
