The Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri launched the LHD Trieste on May 25, intended to replace the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi in 2022. The building, built in the Castellammare di Stabia shipyards near Naples, began construction in February 2018, and should begin testing at the end of 2020.
The Trieste will then be the most important building in the Italian Navy with the Cavour aircraft carrier. 214 meters long, and weighing more than 33.000 tonnes, it is based on a modular concept allowing it to act as an aircraft carrier and as an assault ship, using up to 12 AW101 and SH90A helicopters, but also F35B aircraft, which will replace the AV8 Harrier of the Italian naval aviation. It also has a capacity to accommodate more than 600 soldiers and their vehicles, a base that can accommodate various landing craft, a joint command post, and a hospital of around thirty of medical beds. The Trieste is the largest Italian military ship launched since the end of the Second World War.
Unlike the French Mistrals, the Trieste did not neglect its self-defense capabilities. Indeed, the building will carry 16 Sylver50 silos capable of using as many Aster 15 and 30 missiles, or 32 CAMM-ER missiles, as well as 3 76mm cannons, and 3 remotely operated 25mm cannons.
Confidential content reserved for professional subscribers