Italy’s newest FREMM frigate joins counter-piracy operation off the Horn of Africa

After ceding command over the EU-led counter-piracy operation Atalanta off the Horn of Africa to the Spanish Navy, the Italian Navy has deployed its newest FREMM frigate – ITS Federico Martinengo – to support the mission.

The frigate got underway from its homeport in Taranto and joined the operation on August 11.

Federico Martinengo is expected to remain part of the operation until December this year in what appears to be her first operational tasking since she entered service in April 2018.

Launched in March 2017, Federico Martinengo is the navy’s third multipurpose variant following the deliveries of Carlo Bergamini and Luigi Rizzo in 2013 and 2017.

Martinengo is replacing sister ship – FREMM frigate ITS Carlo Margottini – which served as operation Atalanta flagship for four months before handing over the role to Spanish Navy landing platform dock ESPS Castilla earlier this month.

The European Union Naval Force (Op Atalanta) Somalia – Operation Atalanta, was launched in December 2008. Its objectives are protecting vessels of the World Food Programme (WFP) and other vulnerable shipping, determent and disruption of piracy and armed robbery at sea and monitoring fishing activities off Somalia.