Fremm-class frigate Antonio Marceglia has been delivered to the Italian Navy at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Muggiano (La Spezia).

Antonio Marceglia is the eighth in a series of ten vessels of the Fremm programme, called Multi-Mission European Frigates. It was commissioned to Fincantieri under the international Italian-French programme, which is coordinated by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali is a joint venture of Italian defence contractors Fincantieri (51%) and Leonardo (49%). It is the main contractor for Italy in the Fremm programme.

All ten units planned to be constructed under the programme have already been ordered.

Antonio Marceglia is the eighth unit constructed by Fincantieri that includes a combat system. The previous three multipurpose configuration systems are the Carlo Bergamini, Luigi Rizzo, and the Federico Martinengo, which were delivered to the Italian Navy in 2013, 2017 and 2018 respectively.



Fremm frigates measure 144m in length, with a displacement at full load of approximately 6,700t. These vessels have been designed to reach a maximum speed of 27k and to provide accommodation for 200 people (crew and staff).

Vessels are capable of high flexibility and operate in a wide range of scenarios and tactical situations.

The Fremm programme is the result of the need to renew Italian Navy Lupo-class frigates, which have already been decommissioned, and Maestrale-class frigates.

Some of the Maestrale frigates have already been decommissioned, while the remaining are close to achieving the operational limit.

The Lupo and Maestrale frigates have been built by Fincantieri starting from the 1970s.

Expected to become the mainstay of the naval fleet over the next decades, the units also contribute to the development of the tasks assigned to the Italian Navy. Vessels will be able to operate in various sectors, including specific military purposes and those for the community.