Fincantieri launches Italian Navy LHD

Fincantieri has launched the Italian Navy’s newest Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), Trieste, at its shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia, the company announced on 25 May.The vessel will be delivered in 2022.

The multirole and multipurpose amphibious vessel has a length of approximately 214m with a maximum speed of 25 knots. It is capable of deploying aircraft and amphibious vehicles and equipment via a 230m flight deck and a floodable basin located on the stern of the ship.

The vessel will be equipped with a Combined Diesel Electric Or Gas propulsion system and an additional electric propulsion system to be used for low speed sailing, in line with the Italian Navy’s environmental policy.

In addition to transporting vehicles, personnel and equipment, drinking water, power supply, healthcare and medical support, the LHD is designed to carry out command and control functions in case of emergencies at sea, evacuation of nationals and humanitarian assistance operations.

With over 1,000 sleeping accommodations, the new vessel will be capable of supporting operations of a battalion consisting of 600 personnel, with a dock-garage capable of accommodating 1,200 linear metres of wheeled and tracked vehicles, both civilian and military. A fully equipped hospital will also be available onboard, complete with

operating rooms, radiology and analysis rooms, a dentist’s office, and patient rooms capable of hosting 27 seriously injured patients.

The floodable dock – 50m long and 15m wide - will enable the ship to deploy the most technically advanced amphibious equipment and vehicles of EU and NATO navies.