Garibaldi-class

Summary

Description

The Giuseppe Garibaldi is an iconic Italian aircraft carrier and the first of its kind built to operate fixed-wing aircraft for the Italian Navy. The vessel pays homage to the 19th-century Italian General Giuseppe Garibaldi and stands as the fourth Italian Navy ship bearing his name. Commissioned on September 30, 1985, the Garibaldi marks a significant milestone in Italian naval history, originally classified as an aircraft-carrying cruiser due to national laws restricting the navy's operation of fixed-wing aircraft until 1989.

Constructed by Fincantieri at Monfalcone shipyards, the Garibaldi features a distinct off-axis flight deck with a ski-jump to assist short takeoff and landing (STOVL) aircraft. This design accommodates a variety of aircraft configurations, including a mix of up to sixteen AV-8B Harrier IIs and two search and rescue helicopters, or exclusively eighteen helicopters. The carrier's air arm is further complemented by its impressive propulsion system comprising four Fiat gas turbines licensed from GE, producing 81,000 horsepower and propelling the ship at speeds up to 30 knots.

As befits a vessel of its class, the Garibaldi is armed for defensive and offensive operations. Its original armament included Otomat Mk2 surface-to-surface missiles, Aspide surface-to-air missiles, and triple-tube torpedo launchers for anti-submarine warfare. The ship also hosts three Oto Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO CIWS for close-in defense. Its electronic countermeasure systems range from chaff and decoy launchers to anti-torpedo defenses like the SLQ-25 Nixie and SLAT systems.

Throughout its operational history, the Garibaldi participated in several military campaigns. During the Kosovo War in 1999, the Garibaldi's embarked Harriers executed 30 sorties over 63 flight hours, deploying bombs and missiles to support the missions. Following 9/11, Italy's Operation Enduring Freedom saw the Garibaldi as a command ship, with its Harriers flying 288 missions over Afghanistan. The ship played a pivotal role in the 2011 military intervention in Libya, contributing to NATO's Operation Unified Protector, alongside various other Italian support and combat vessels. During this operation, its AV-8Bs flew extensively, dropping 160 guided bombs.

The carrier has been modernized, undergoing an upgrade in 2003 and a significant restructuring in 2013 to maintain its operational effectiveness. Although Giuseppe Garibaldi was succeeded by the larger carrier Cavour as the Italian Navy's flagship in 2009, it continues to serve as a testament to Italy's ability to project power and maintain maritime security. The Garibaldi has been an active participant in international exercises, such as Majestic Eagle 2004, alongside other notable carriers like the USS Harry S. Truman. The operations and enhancements over the years have ensured the Giuseppe Garibaldi remains a vital asset to Italy's naval capabilities.

Technical specifications