By Abdulaziz Hammad
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Italian Navy’s (European Multi-Mission Frigate) Carlo Margottini was at the Jeddah Islamic Port from April 30 until May 2 as part of a naval diplomatic visit to the city.
At the JIP, the Margottini frigate commanded by Marco Guerriero was welcomed by Admiral Dario Giacomin, deputy secretary of the Italian ministry of defense and in charge of procurement. Together with Consul General Stefano Stucci, they had the honor of being received by Prince Mishal Bin Majed, Governor of Jeddah and paid their respects to the Italian soldiers buried in the non-Muslim cemetery of Jeddah. Other activities included a presentation of the ship and of its technology at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and receptions at the Italian Club and on board of the ship itself.
On Wednesday, Italian Consul General Stucci was on board the frigate to welcome members of the media, diplomats and other dignitaries.
Commenting on the arrival of the Margottini, Consul General Stucci told Saudi Gazette: “The Margottini frigate and its crew are a living testimony of the excellence of Italian Navy and of what Italy can achieve in defense technology. I am very happy that, after nearly 4 months at protecting sea routes against piracy, they managed to come back to Saudi Arabia for the second time, after their visit in Dammam last February. I think it was a very interesting occasion for Saudi authorities and for our Saudi friends to see such an impressive ship at work.”
Carlo Margottini is the third unit of FREMM multipurpose frigate and the second as Anti-Submarine Warfare configuration. Although it specializes in stealth and anti-submarine warfare, it is equipped for multiple types of mission. At 144-meter in length, it has a crew of 167 and has a maximum speed of 27 knots. The frigate carries two helicopters; a surface anti-air missile system; two torpedo launch systems and two deck guns in its arsenal. This new-generation frigate can be deployed in an extensive range of missions. prevent piracy, search and rescue and a variety of defensive marine missions.
