Trieste-class (L9890)

The Trieste class landing helicopter dock (LHD) was developed for the Italian Navy under the 2014–2015 naval program to replace the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. Fincantieri constructed the vessel's hull at the Castellammare di Stabia shipyard, where the first steel was cut on 12 July 2017 and the keel laid on 20 February 2018. Following its launch on 25 May 2019, the vessel underwent outfitting at Muggiano and hull maintenance in Palermo before being commissioned on 7 December 2024 at the Livorno naval base.

The propulsion system operates on a CODOG scheme with auxiliary electric engines, featuring two Rolls-Royce MT30 gas turbines, two MAN 20V32/44CR diesel engines, four MAN 9L32/44CR diesel generators, and two electric engines. These power two shafts with variable-pitch five-bladed propellers, supported by two balanced spade rudders, retractable stabilizer fins, two forward thrusters, and one aft thruster.

The ship’s superstructure is divided into a forward island for navigation and an aft island for flight operations. The flight deck includes nine helicopter and aircraft spots, a ski-jump to support short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) F-35B aircraft, and two stern elevators. The airwing comprises combinations of F-35B jets, AgustaWestland AW101, SH90A, and AgustaWestland AW129D helicopters. For amphibious deployment, the vessel features a floodable well deck designed to launch four LCM-1E landing craft or one LCAC/LCAT hovercraft. The internal garage and hangar decks support the transport of Ariete tanks, Iveco LMV Lynx vehicles, Centauro and Freccia armored vehicles, or up to 300 soldiers. A NATO Role 2E standard hospital is integrated on board, equipped with operating rooms, laboratories, a dental clinic, and 28 beds.

Defensive armament consists of three Otobreda 76/62 Super Rapid guns configured with the Strales system and guided Vulcano ammunition, three OTO Melara 25/80 remote weapon systems with 25 mm Oerlikon KBA cannons, and two OTO Melara ODLS-20 decoy launchers. The ship is fitted for but not with four eight-cell Sylver A50 vertical launch systems for 32 Aster 15/30 missiles. The integrated electronics suite includes the Leonardo SADOC 4 combat direction system, SPN-720 precision approach radar, Kronos Power Shield L-band AESA radar, Kronos StarFire X-band radar, a fitted-for Kronos Quad C-band radar, Black Snake towed array sonar, and the Elettronica SpA "Zeus" Electronic Warfare System.

In August 2025, the Trieste class participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with the Indian Navy vessel INS Tamal in the Mediterranean Sea prior to the latter's port call at Naples.