The Italian Navy (Marina Militare) has officially taken delivery of its tenth FREMM multipurpose frigate, ITS Emilio Bianchi (FREMM IT 10), during a ceremony held at the Fincantieri Muggiano shipyard in La Spezia on 31 July 2025.
By Jarryd Sinovich
The event was attended by senior representatives from OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), the Italian Ministry of Defence, the Italian Navy, and industry leaders from ORIZZONTE SISTEMI NAVALI, Fincantieri, and Leonardo. OCCAR-EA Director Mr. Joachim Sucker, Italian Programme Committee Representative Vice Admiral Giuseppe Abbamonte, and Admiral Flavio Biaggi were among the distinguished guests.
ITS Emilio Bianchi is the final ship of the original FREMM “Legacy” programme and the second Italian FREMM in the enhanced Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) configuration. With its delivery, Italy has now received all ten FREMM ships originally contracted under the programme, marking a significant milestone in European defence cooperation and Franco-Italian industrial collaboration.
Notably, the delivery of ITS Bianchi was achieved three months ahead of schedule, and follows the delivery of ITS Schergat just three months prior. The programme’s efficiency is credited to close cooperation between OCCAR, the Italian defence establishment, and industrial partners.
Named in honour of Emilio Bianchi, a WWII naval hero and recipient of Italy’s highest military decoration—the Gold Medal of Military Valour—the ship carries a name steeped in history and national pride. Bianchi served in the elite Decima Flottiglia MAS and was recognised for his extraordinary bravery.
To date, 18 FREMM frigates have been delivered under the joint programme—10 to Italy and 8 to France. Managed under OCCAR’s HORIZON-FREMM Programme Division, FREMM is widely regarded as one of the most successful defence cooperation efforts in Europe, offering highly capable and versatile warships designed for a range of missions, from ASW to air defence and general-purpose roles.
Looking ahead, the Italian Navy is set to receive two additional FREMM frigates in the new “EVO-lution” configuration by 2029 and 2030, following a contract amendment signed in July 2024. These next-generation ships will feature upgraded capabilities to address evolving maritime threats across various operational theatres.
Following a brief crew familiarisation period, ITS Emilio Bianchi will enter operational service and contribute to Italy’s maritime security missions at home and abroad.
