Artigliere-class

The Artigliere class, also designated as the Soldati class, consists of four frigates originally ordered by Iraq from Cantieri Navali Riuniti in 1980. The vessels were constructed between 1985 and 1987, but their delivery was blocked by Italian government restrictions during the Iran-Iraq War and a subsequent United Nations arms embargo following the invasion of Kuwait. After remaining interned in Italy for several years, the ships were seized in 1993 and underwent refitting for service with the Italian Navy.

The design is a modified version of the Lupo-class frigate. Unlike the initial Italian Lupo vessels, the Artigliere class was built with a telescopic hangar for helicopter operations. During their conversion for Italian service, the ships were reconfigured as patrol vessels. This process included the removal of all anti-submarine warfare equipment. The vessels were utilized for fleet escort and long-range maritime patrolling.

The Italian Navy commissioned the four units—Artigliere, Aviere, Bersagliere, and Granatiere—between 1994 and 1996. Throughout their operational history, they conducted escort and patrol missions in the Mediterranean and other regions. In 2012, the Philippines considered the class for potential acquisition, but the ships remained in Italian service until their staggered retirement. Decommissioning of the class began in 2013 and concluded in 2019. Artigliere and Bersagliere were sent to Aliaga for scrapping in 2024.