New exclusive photos of Italian FREMM frigate Spartaco Schergat.

According to information published by OCCAR on May The Italian FREMM frigate Spartaco Schergat has successfully completed its First Sea Going Review on May 16, 2024, followed by its initial sea trials in the Gulf of La Spezia. This vessel is the ninth FREMM frigate for Italy and the first to feature an enhanced configuration.
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Bergamini class (FREMM) frigate Spartaco Schergat. (Picture source: OCCAR)

During the First Sea Going Review, representatives from the industry, OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation), and national authorities gathered to confirm that all contractual conditions were satisfactorily met, ensuring the vessel and crew were ready for sea trials. This review process is a critical step to verify the ship's preparedness.

The initial sea trials, known as "First Sea Going," mark a key phase in the delivery process, initiating a series of contractual trials to verify the ship's operational requirements and to finalize the setup of onboard equipment and systems before the vessel's official acceptance by the national navy.

This achievement brings the Spartaco Schergat closer to its planned delivery to the Italian Navy, scheduled for April 2025. According to current timelines, the vessel is expected to complete all sea trials by January 2025.

The FREMM program for Italy is also preparing for the launch of its tenth FREMM ship, the ITS Bianchi, on May 25, 2024. Additionally, a new contract for two more FREMM ships in the "Evolution" configuration is anticipated to be signed in July 2024.

Technical data

The Carlo Bergamini-class frigate is a modern naval vessel with a displacement of 6,700 tons. Measuring 144.6 meters (474.4 feet) in length and 19.7 meters (64.6 feet) in beam, it has a draught of 8.7 meters (28.5 feet). Its propulsion system features a Combined Diesel Electric and Gas (CODLAG) arrangement, including a 32 MW General Electric/Avio LM2500+G4 gas turbine, two 2.5 MW electric motors from Jeumont Electric, and four diesel generators.

The first two frigates are equipped with VL 1716 (T2ME series) generators, each providing 2.15 MW, while subsequent frigates use the HPCR series generators, each offering 2.8 MW. The ship also has two shafts driving controllable pitch propellers and a 1 MW bow thruster.

The frigate can achieve a top speed of 27 knots (50 km/h; 31 mph) with a maximum cruising speed of 15.6 knots (28.9 km/h; 18.0 mph). It has an impressive range of 6,800 nautical miles (12,600 km; 7,800 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) and carries a complement of 199 personnel.

For sensors and processing systems, the Carlo Bergamini-class is equipped with the Leonardo Kronos Grand Naval (MFRA) active electronically scanned array radar, CAPTAS-4 towed-array sonar, and UMS 4110 CL hull-mounted sonar. Its armament includes a 16-cell MBDA SYLVER A50 vertical launch system for 16 MBDA Aster 15 and 30 missiles, one Leonardo Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano gun, one Leonardo OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS gun, and two Leonardo Oto Melara/Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm remote weapon systems. Additionally, the frigate is armed with eight MBDA Teseo/Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship and land attack missiles, two triple Leonardo (WASS) B-515/3 launchers for MU 90 torpedoes, and two SITEP MASS CS-424 acoustic guns.

The aviation facilities include a double hangar capable of accommodating two SH90 helicopters, one SH90 helicopter, or one AW101 helicopter, which can be armed with MU 90 torpedoes or MBDA Marte Mk2/S missiles.