Alpino-class

The Alpino class consisted of two frigates constructed for the Italian Navy by Cantieri Navali Riuniti at the Riva Trigoso shipyard. The Italian Navy initially planned a four-ship series between 1959 and 1961, with vessels to be named after World War II Spica-class torpedo boats. This order was postponed to allow for design revisions, and a subsequent 1962 order resulted in two ships named after soldier types, following the nomenclature of World War II Soldati-class destroyers.

The design originated as an enlarged version of the Canopo-class frigate but was modified to incorporate a Combined Diesel and Gas (CODAG) propulsion system. These vessels introduced the use of ship-based helicopters and variable depth sonar to the Italian Navy. Aviation facilities featured a telescopic hangar designed to accommodate medium helicopters. During the 1980s, the ships underwent modernization including the installation of new sonar and electronic warfare equipment.

The class entered commission in 1968. Both vessels remained in active service as frigates until the mid-1990s, when they were reclassified as auxiliary ships. Carabiniere served as a dedicated trials platform for the Principal Anti-Air Missile System (PAAMS) and new radar systems. Alpino was decommissioned in 2006, and Carabiniere was retired from service in 2008.