Sea trials begin for new Italian frigate

ROME, May 23 (UPI) -- The Italian navy's sixth FREMM-class frigate has left a Fincantieri shipyard to begin initial sea trials, the Italian navy says.

On board the ITS Luigi Rizzo is Vice-Adm. Donato Marzano, Italian navy logistic commander and chairman of the Naval Ship Acceptance Commission, navy test personnel and representatives from technical organizations involved in testing activities.

"This activity marks the beginning of the program of sea trials which will continue until the completion of the ship's outfitting phase," the Italian navy said. "The FREMM frigate is scheduled to be delivered to the Italian Navy in early 2017."

FREMM, or European Multimission Frigate, ships were designed for France and Italy by DCNS/Armaris and Fincantieri. They are between 466 feet and 474 feet long, depending on national requirement, have a speed of more than 27 knots, and a range of more than 6,000 nautical miles.