Italian Navy to commission Trieste helicopter carrier as new flagship for amphibious task group.

As reported by Mer et Marine on December 5, 2024, the Italian Navy is set to commission its new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Trieste, the largest combat vessel constructed in Italy since World War II. The commissioning ceremony will take place on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in the port of Livorno, with the attendance of Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The Trieste will replace the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, decommissioned on October 1, 2024, and will become the flagship of the Italian Navy's amphibious task group.
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At 245 meters in length and 33,000 tons displacement, the Trieste, a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) built by Fincantieri, will be the largest Italian naval vessel since World War II. (Picture source: Twitter/Nicholas Drummond)

The development of the Italian Navy's Trieste landing helicopter dock (LHD) began under the 2014–2015 naval program, with Fincantieri awarded the construction contract in July 2015. Steel cutting commenced in July 2017, followed by the keel laying at Castellammare di Stabia in February 2018. The hull was launched in May 2019 and subsequently outfitted at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard, with maintenance conducted at the Palermo facility due to space constraints. Initial sea trials were conducted in August 2021, with additional dockyard work at Trieste in late 2023. The vessel’s construction involved three shipyards and over 1,000 personnel during the assembly and outfitting phases. Delivery, initially expected by 2022, was delayed to December 2024. Once commissioned, Trieste will replace the Giuseppe Garibaldi and serve as part of Italy's amphibious task group, supporting multiple operational roles.

At 245 meters in length and 33,000 tons displacement, the Trieste, a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) built by Fincantieri, will be the largest Italian naval vessel since World War II. The ship is equipped with a CODLOG propulsion system, combining two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines, two MAN diesel engines, and two electric motors. This system allows a maximum speed of 25 knots and a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 16 knots. Its dual-island design separates navigation and flight operations management.

The ship is configured to support F-35B aircraft and various helicopters, with a 230-meter-long flight deck featuring nine landing spots and two elevators with a 42-ton capacity each. Below deck, it includes a hangar and a garage providing over 4,500 square meters of space for vehicles, along with a floodable well deck for amphibious operations. The well deck can accommodate four LCMs, one LCAC, or other amphibious vehicles. The Trieste is armed with three 76mm guns, three remote-controlled 25mm turrets, and provisions for Sylver vertical launch systems capable of deploying Aster missiles. It also features advanced electronic warfare systems and multifunction radars.

Designed for multipurpose operations, the ship can carry up to 1,064 personnel, including 450 crew members and 600 embarked troops. Its onboard facilities include a hospital with 27 beds, operating rooms, and radiology and dental services, with options for containerized medical expansions. The Trieste will replace the Giuseppe Garibaldi and serve as a versatile platform for amphibious and air operations, humanitarian assistance, and joint-command roles.

The Trieste differs from the Giuseppe Garibaldi and Cavour aircraft carriers primarily in its design focus and operational roles. The Garibaldi was a smaller vessel at 180.2 meters with a displacement of 14,150 tons, specialized in anti-submarine warfare and air defense, operating Harrier jets and helicopters. The Cavour, slightly smaller than the Trieste at 244 meters and 27,100 tons displacement, is dedicated to air operations as an aircraft carrier. In contrast, the Trieste, at 245 meters and 33,000 tons displacement, is a multipurpose amphibious assault ship with a floodable well deck for landing craft, expanded facilities for troop transport, and significant medical capabilities. Unlike the primarily aviation-oriented Cavour and Garibaldi, the Trieste integrates amphibious, humanitarian, and joint-command operations.

This vessel is part of a broader series of modernizations to strengthen the capabilities of the Italian Navy and address current maritime security challenges. The Defence Multi-Year Planning Document (DPP) for 2024–2026 prioritizes countering new threats and renewing platforms across underwater, surface, and airborne domains. The program includes constructing four next-generation offshore patrol vessels, with the first delivery planned for 2027 and options for two additional ships. Additionally, the Navy has commissioned two FREMM EVO multipurpose frigates, featuring anti-drone systems, through a €1.5 billion contract with Orizzonte Sistemi Navali. Submarine capabilities are also being enhanced through the U212 Near Future Submarine (NFS) program, aiming for new deliveries by 2027–2029. The acquisition of additional F-35B aircraft for both the Navy and Air Force is included, aiming to expand the joint fleet to 115 aircraft.

Operationally, the Trieste's role extends beyond military functions. It is designed to operate with NATO forces and act as an alternate platform for vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) aircraft operations when the Cavour aircraft carrier is unavailable. Therefore, it supports Italy’s goals of performing roles beyond territorial defense, such as addressing piracy and managing humanitarian emergencies. Recent activities include deploying the Cavour aircraft carrier to the Indo-Pacific and participating in Australia's Exercise Pitch Black, emphasizing collaboration with allied forces. The Navy also engages in security operations, exemplified by neutralizing a Houthi drone threat in the Red Sea and safeguarding international shipping routes. These developments underline the Navy's modernization efforts and its role in securing maritime interests in domestic and global contexts.

The LHD Trieste will provide the Italian Navy with new capabilities, including a floodable well deck to deploy advanced landing craft, an expanded aviation deck capable of operating F-35B fighter jets and helicopters, and a modular hospital with facilities for treating critically injured patients. It is designed for amphibious operations, force projection, joint and inter-allied command, and logistical support. The ship also features advanced propulsion systems for improved range and endurance, along with electronic warfare and radar systems to enhance situational awareness and defense. These features position the Trieste to address both military and disaster response needs in current operational contexts.