Italian vessel docks ties of friendship with the UAE

Commander Giuseppe Lai aboard the Carlo Margottini F592. - KT photo by Ryan Lim

It was a great mix of history, technological advancement and navigational warfare aboard the legendary Italian warship berth Carlo Margottini F592, at Abu Dhabi's Zayed Port, as it came calling on its way to Djibouti.
The European multimission frigate and the pride of the Italian Navy are destined to take command of the EU-led counter-piracy operation 'Atalanta' in the high seas of Africa, protecting ships transporting World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian aids. The vessel is named after the highly-decorated Captain Carlo Margottini, commanding officer of the destroyer ship Artigliere, who died during an attack by the British Cruiser HMS York in the Straits of Sicily in 1940.
The ship had sailed under the captainship of Commander Giuseppe Lai, as the warship takes on security and humanitarian roles with Italian allies in the Middle East and Africa. The docking at Abu Dhabi, Captain Lai said, is part of strengthening relationships with potential partners, maintaining political, diplomatic and economic relations, in the framework of the Italian Navy's institutional tasks.
Alessandro Neto, the Italian Embassy deputy head of mission, told Khaleej Times onboard the Margottini that "such visits are bound to enhance bilateral relations." Its visit is also a mark of celebration, in the light of the high-profile cooperation between Italy and the UAE. Moreover, the warship docked at Zayed Port, in the Centenary Year of Zayed. Likewise, the presence of Fincantieri, Leonardo, MBDA and Elettronica, the major groups in shipbuilding, electronics and cyber-security and intelligence warfare, based in the UAE, also highlighted relations between the two countries.
Commander Lai stated that the vessel, after sailing out of Abu Dhabi, would be engaged in the Gulf of Aden until August 2018. The ship has been to Karachi, Doha, Kuwait City, and Dammam before docking at Zayed Port. The multi-role frigate has two hangars of 650 square-foot and a flight deck that can accommodate two helicopters: EH-101 and SH-90.
Ship of strength
Launched in June 2013, the Margottini is also double the size of a premium frigate but with a reduced crew onboard. Under NATO classification, ITS Margottini represents a new generation of frigates capable of being employed in various operational scenarios, and the weapon system and sensors onboard make it capable of undertaking different missions such as constabulary role: counter-terrorism, illegal trafficking prevention, naval groups protection, maritime security, humanitarian assistance in calamities, and the protection of Sea Lines of Communication.
With an overall length of 144 metres, and a displacement of 6,300 tons, it could navigate at the speed of 27 knots; carrying a maximum fleet of 200 persons.
Commander Lai introduced the innovative weapon system, with the new multifunctional radar MFRA, integrated with the SAAM-ESD missile system designed to host ASTER Missiles. The ship has an active, low-frequency variable depth sonar to cater to antisubmarine capabilities. Similarly, the sensors and the weapons systems are fully integrated into the Combat Management System (CMS), based on a sophisticated network architecture.
The ship's communication, command and control system is fully integrated and is capable of operating in chemical, biological, and nuclear CBRN-threat environments. It can travel the high seas for around six months without docking at any port and is logistically viable on food and healthcare counts.
As the UAE and Italy renew their defence and strategic cooperation in the Arabian Sea and beyond, ITS Carlos Margottini will be a witness to the goodwill it had embraced at Zayed Port.
mehkri@khaleejtimes.com
Onboard the Carlo Margottini
* 2 hangars - of 650 sq ft each
* 2 helicopters - EH-101 and SH-90
* 144 m - Overall length
* 6,300 tonnes - displacement
* 27 knots - navigation speed
* 200 - max persons

• UAE
• Dubai

Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri