True
Last month were financed other 4 units for a total of 6. If MM will be fortunate to have 8 FREMM, then 10 …
In practice with the latest update the 6 (8 or 10?) FREMM of MM will be equivalent to all FreDA perhaps with a few less vls
NM is not better because it must pay the SNA Barracuda and PA2, hardly has all the FREMM provided 17.
In the last issue of “Panorama e difesa” is reported that the Italian navy is negotiating a contract from € 20 million to upgrade the project of all FREMM (including the first 2) with SAAM-ESD and Sylver A50
The number of vls and version of EMPAR are unknown, but is highly likely to be 32 vls and active EMPAR
You can see the specification of SAAM-ESD on Eurosam site as SAAM-D. ESD is the newest name wanted by the Italian Navy
From advertising of Fincantieri seems to be space for A70 but no intention to install them
Latest news gave the cutting of the first sheet of Bergamini (fremm ASW) in these days of the beginning of the year
In financial 2008 seems to have jumped off funds for other 4 ships. There is no official announcement of the MoD.
Similarly is happening for the second batch of U212A which are budgeted money (doubled from 2007 to 2008) but no announcement.
@ leon
thank but we must turn especially to photographers
The AB 212 ASW will be used on Doria at least in the early years.
As you seen on the photo Teseo launcher aren’t onboard, there is the space for 8 laucher probably 2 quad-pack
Photo of Novermber of Andrea Doria in Genoa

double post, sorry
The last information from SELEX says that EMPAR evolve in active version in 2011 (range extended) but with the same structure of the passive. Four fixed array is the third phase but date is unknow.
Italian navy request some upgrade for FREMM, but is unclear if they are for the first 2 ship
– SAAM-ESD (Extended Self Defence), half way between SAAM-it and PAAMS
– Sylver A50 instead of A43
Another pic of fly deck ofCavour in the night


Details and photo of Cavour (english) on my website
http://digilander.libero.it/en_mezzi_militari/html/en_cavour.html
Watch the hangar with AW-101 really great
Fwd of the superstructure adjacent to the 48 cell Sylver, 16 strike lengh Mk.41 VLS cells for TLAM if the RN want it, or more Sylver, possibly adapted for Scalp/naval storm shadow.
….
But between the superstructure and the 48 cell Sylver isn’t the space for SSM missile?
EMPAR is passive but from the 2011 Selex SI made an active version of the radar for italian FREMM. The planed third phase, after 2011, is a four fixed face active EMPAR.
The commissioning of Doria is expected in the next 6 months
More photo of Duilio

Small ship, small airgroup but if necessary… All aircraft on image are too much but they are to see possible parking area, on the left of deck the airstrip of 160m

The problem for Garibaldi to operate with F35B is the elevator because they are 18 x 10 meter versur 20 x 14 m of Hyuga.
DDH have an hangar more capable with 180 x 18 versus 150 x 15 of Garibaldi.


I think JSDMF can add sky jump on Hyuga, the only problem is the elevator on central position
If someone develop the elettromagnetic catapult there is one possibility to make a 30k tonn CTOL carrier or personalize a indian ADS, but +40k is better.
If there are moneies, it can be made all
There isn’t problem to buy a modern fighter, France is very happy to sell some Rafale Marine. For ASW role helicopters is a good choise, ka o EH101 and for AEW the choise depend on the available money
The target of 2015 for Marine Nationale is gone. I think France don’t have PA2 in service when De Gaulle go to long maintenance.