Giuseppe Garibaldi-class

Laid down in 1981 and commissioned into service in 1985, the Giuseppe Garibaldi holds the distinction of being the first through-deck aviation ship built for the Italian Navy, as well as its first vessel designed to operate fixed-wing aircraft. Due to a national law in effect at the time of its construction, which restricted fixed-wing aviation to the air force, the ship was initially designated as an "aircraft-carrying cruiser." This restriction was lifted in 1989, allowing the vessel to fulfill its intended role. After a long career that included a modernization in 2003 and a major restructuring in 2013, the ship was retired from service on October 1, 2024.

The Giuseppe Garibaldi was designed as a versatile anti-submarine warfare carrier. Its propulsion is centered on four gas turbines, providing the vessel with high-speed capabilities and a considerable operational range. The air group is flexible, capable of embarking a mix of Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft, such as the AV-8B Harrier II, and various helicopters for anti-submarine, assault, or airborne early warning missions. The flight deck features a characteristic off-axis design with a ski-jump to facilitate STOL operations. The ship’s armament included surface-to-air missile systems, close-in weapon systems for self-defense, and torpedo launchers. A comprehensive suite of sensors, including long-range and early warning radars, a hull sonar, and sophisticated electronic warfare systems, provided extensive situational awareness and protection.

Throughout its service, the Giuseppe Garibaldi was involved in numerous high-profile combat operations and multinational exercises. From its homeport of Taranto, it was deployed to support NATO during the Kosovo War in 1999, where its embarked Harriers conducted dozens of strike sorties. Following the September 11 attacks, the carrier served as the command ship for an Italian naval group in the Indian Ocean as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, with its aircraft conducting missions over Afghanistan. In 2011, the ship played a critical role in the military intervention in Libya under Operation Unified Protector, launching hundreds of flight hours for air-to-ground strikes.