Admiral of the Fleet Sergio Biraghi described the new Torpedo and Missile Attack Vessel – dubbed Andrea Doria – at the launching ceremony as a “ jewel of the most advanced and sophisticated technology which forms an important part of the navy’s fleet renewal program.”
The ship was launched at the Riva Trigosa yard in Genoa on October 14, 2005, three years after the first plate was cut. Biraghi said “the plan put into action in the last few years in an extremely decisive manner will make available a fleet which is smaller but of the highest level. The diamond cutter and beating heart of a slimmer and more flexible fleet based on increased speed and capacity to intervene also in distant theaters perfectly integrated into the national military interforce as well as operative in multinational situations and therefore better able to efficiently confront the new challenges on the horizon.”
Delivery of the Andrea Doria is planned for the beginning of 2008. The ship was designed and built with funds from the
navy budget and is the first of two vessels of the Orizzonte class commissioned at Fincantieri. At the beginning of 2010 the Andrea Doria will be joined by the Caio Duilio which started its building in 2003. The most up-to-date systems of search and weaponary developed in international collaboration with the programme Paams in which Italian industry is part together with Britain and France for a medium range antiaircraft missile. The anti torpedo system is an Italy/ France programme called Slat. The two vessels will replace two Audace class vessels recently withdrawn from service.
Andrea Doria received its baptismal champagne from Donna Gesine Floridi Doria Pamphilj the ship’s godmother.
Present was the Chief of Defence Admiral Giampaolo Di Paolo.
Fitting out and supply will take place at Fincantieri del Muggiano at La Spezia where the ship was taken on the floating platform Atlante using the roll out and dock system. Mr. Bono continued “ Riva Trigoso and Muggiano therefore represent complementary working in a perfectly integrated polarised system with technicians and labour force expressing themselves to the maximum professionalism in a region, Liguria; in which Fincantieri has deep roots in a number of locations which are the headquarters and design centre for naval work, three yards and two companies with 3,500 employees as well as the numerous supplier companies.