Maestrale-class frigate
Maestrale underway, 2002
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Class overview | |
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Name | Maestrale class |
Builders | Fincantieri |
Operators | Italian Navy Indonesian Navy (future) |
Preceded by | Lupo class |
Succeeded by | Bergamini class |
Built | 1978–1982 |
In commission | 1981–present |
Completed | 8 |
Active | 2 |
Retired | 6 |
General characteristics | |
Displacement | 3,040 t (2,990 long tons) full load |
Length | |
Beam | 12.9 m (42 ft) |
Draught | 4.2 m (14 ft) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 33 kn (61 km/h; 38 mph) (21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph) on diesel) |
Range | 6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
Complement |
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Sensors and processing systems |
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Electronic warfare & decoys |
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Armament |
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Aircraft carried |
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The Maestrale class is a class of frigates of the Italian Navy. The class is composed of eight vessels, all of which were built by Fincantieri S.p.A., Riva Trigoso, except for Grecale, which was built by Fincantieri S.p.A. – Muggiano, La Spezia.
The Maestrale-class frigates were primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), however the ships are highly flexible so they are also capable of anti-air and anti-surface operations. Ships of this class have been widely used in various international missions, either under NATO or UN flag, and during normal operations of the Italian Navy.
The first of these ships entered in service in early 1982. The rest of the fleet was launched over the next three years. The ships of the Maestrale class will be replaced by the Bergamini class.[3]
Design
These ships were built with the experience and the technology already developed for the previous
The propulsion system is based on two gas-turbine GE-Avio
Armament
The Maestrale class ships are armed with an array of systems. Mounted on the foredeck is an Oto Melara 127 mm/54 gun, capable of shooting 40 rounds per minute. Despite its large size, it was possible to fit it in the relatively small hull, since the Lupo-class ships were fitted with the same weapon. It has 66 shells on three ready-fire carousels. It also had low reaction times and high elevation, with a 32-kilogram (71 lb) shells and 23-kilometre (14 mi) range.
The ships also carry the Albatross missile system, with an octuple cell capable of firing
After the turret there are two
Also on deck are four
Finally, there are four torpedo-launchers, two triple ILAS-3 (similar to
Electronic warfare outfit
These ships also have several electronic systems: one radar air and surface search RAN10S (160 km (99 mi)) is placed over the smaller tree, a radar of navigation and surface search SPN703 is fitted on the main tree, where a navigation radar is present as well, and finally, three radars: one RTN-10X for gun and Aspide control, and two smaller RTN-20X for the DARDO systems, all fitted in the forward superstructure, separated from the aft by the funnel and the heat dissipaters. As to submarine search, there is a VDS DE 1164 sonar, and DE1160B hull mounted. EW component is focused on Elettronica Spa MM/SLQ-746 ([2]) and two SCLAR rocket-launchers that are capable of launching chaff, flare, and HE rockets up to 10 km (6.2 mi).
Several electronic and communication systems are fitted as well, and an Selex ES IPN20 command and control system is present to integrate all the tactical information and use the weapons on board.[4]
Comparison of Maestrale and Lupo classes
The Lupo class entered in service in 1977. The Maestrale class is an upgraded version of its predecessor. Maestrale shares the same, extremely slim hull (with a length/width of 10:1) but this was enlarged to accommodate many more systems. The Lupos are 3 kn (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) faster, and is equipped with eight OTOMAT. The Maestrales have much of Lupo's equipment, but arranged differently. Endurance was increased with the Maestrale class from 5,000 to 6,000 miles (8,000 to 9,700 km).[citation needed]
The Maestrales have half the OTOMATs of the Lupo class but twice as many torpedo launchers (with the introduction of the new heavy torpedoes), twice the helicopters, and twice the sonars, having also a VDS. This, coupled with heavy torpedoes and two helicopters, improved dramatically the ASW capabilities. The use of more modern equipment and an Albatross missile system improved in some aspects the air defense.[citation needed]
The Maestrale class has some shortcomings. The most prominent is the air-defense layout: while the Lupo class has the four weapons distributed across the entire hull length, Maestrales, because of the double hangar, lacked this ability, resulting in all of the weapons systems being placed on the foredeck and midships. This arrangement leaves dangerous blind spots in the ships' defenses.[citation needed]
After their entry in service, Maestrales were modernized with some minor programs. The equipment present on the Maestrale-class ships is almost equal to what it was in 1982, except for a pair of 20 mm guns installed as 'anti-fast vessels close defense', in 2005.[citation needed]
Export
Philippines
A delegation from the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) inspected ships of both the Maestrale and Soldati classes of frigates during their visit to Italy in February 2012 as possible candidates for the Deep Water Patrol Vessel project of the Philippine Navy. No indication of sales was made.[5]
A press conference by the DND on 2 August 2012 included the announcement of ongoing negotiations with the Italian government to purchase two Maestrale frigates for PhP 11.7 (approx. $240 million) billion and are expected to be delivered within 2013 after refurbishing.[6] On 22 September the Philippines' Congress approved a budget that includes funding for the two frigates.[7] The negotiations for the Maestrale-class ships were concluded without agreement to sell and transfers the ships, with the Philippine government opting to buy new frigates instead.[8]
On 4 July 2013, it was announced that the Philippines would acquire two new frigates. The cost of the acquisition would be $400 million for two new frigates, with the Philippines rejecting the Italian Navy's offer of refurbished Maestrale-class frigates.[9][10]
Indonesia
On 10 June 2021, Ministry of Defense of Indonesia signed a contract with Fincantieri for acquisition of six FREMM frigates, two Maestrale-class frigates and other related logistical support.[11] The two Maestrale class will be acquired and modernized by Fincantieri after the ships were retired from the Italian Navy.[12]
Ecuador
On 24 April 2024, Ecuador began negotiations with Italy to acquire two Maestrale-class frigates as replacement for their aging Condell-class frigates.[13]
Ships
Italian Navy – Maestrale class | ||||||||||
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Pennant number |
Name | Builder | Hull number |
Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Modernization[14] | Decommissioned | Motto | |
F 570 | Maestrale | CNR Riva Trigoso
|
875[15] | 8 March 1978 | 2 February 1981 | 7 March 1982 | – | 15 December 2015 | Veloce e veemente | |
F 571 | Grecale | CNR Muggiano
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876 | 21 March 1979 | 12 September 1981 | 5 February 1983 | 2007 / 2010 |
Venti Impetu | ||
F 572 | Libeccio | CNR Riva Trigoso
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877 | 1 August 1979 | 7 September 1981 | 5 February 1983 | 2007 / 2010 |
Paveant turbinem hostes | ||
F 573 | Scirocco | 878 | 26 February 1980 | 17 April 1982 | 20 September 1983 | 2007 / 2010 |
20 February 2020 | Acriter in hostes | ||
F 574 | Aliseo | 879 | 26 February 1980 | 29 October 1982 | 20 September 1983 | – | 8 September 2017 | Constans et indomitus | ||
F 575 | Euro | 880 | 15 April 1981 | 25 March 1983 | 7 April 1984 | – | 2 October 2019 | Rapido Velocior Euro | ||
F 576 | Espero | 881 | 1 August 1982 | 19 November 1983 | 4 May 1985 | – | 30 June 2021 | A nessuno secondo | ||
F 577 | Zeffiro | 882 | 15 March 1983 | 19 May 1984 | 4 May 1985 | 2007 / 2010 |
8 October 2023 | Nitor in adversum |
See also
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Maestrale class Anti-submarine Frigates (ASW)". navyrecognition.com. 7 August 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ a b "Specifica Tecnica per la prestazione di servizi - P.A 10033908" (PDF). marina.difesa.it. July 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
- ^ "Fregate – Marina Militare". Marina.difesa.it. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ "Maestrale Class Frigates". Naval Technology. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2016.
- ^ "Gazmin signs agreement with Italian Defense Minister". DND Office of Public Affairs. 6 February 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ Kwok, Abigail (2 August 2012). "Philippines mulling purchase of Italian frigates". Interaksyon.com. Archived from the original on 17 February 2015. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ "Philippine Congress approves ambitious defence procurement budget". Archived from the original on 26 January 2013.
- ^ "No more second frigates for PN – DND official". Philippine News Agency. 22 February 2013. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2013.
- ^ "Manila to pay $400 million for two Italian frigates". Defense Update. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ "PH to buy two Maestrale frigates from Italy". Inquirer.net. Agence France-Presse. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2015.
- ^ "FINCANTIERI WILL PROVIDE 8 VESSELS TO INDONESIA". fincantieri.com. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ "Fincantieri Signed A Contract To Provide 8 Frigates To Indonesia". navalnews.com. 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
- ^ https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2024/april/14282-ecuador-avances-in-talks-to-acquire-italian-maestrale-class-frigates.html
- ^ "Italian Navy decommissions first Maestrale-class frigate". IHS Jane's. 17 December 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
- ^ "Navy ships". 28 June 2021.
References
- Enciclopedy Armi da guerra, De Agostini, 1984, pp. 1414–1415
- Po, Enrico I radar navali di Alenia, RID 12/1997