Crosetto: Italian frigate to aid Flotilla. Here are the characteristics of the ship Virginio Fasan

Italy has decided to send a Navy ship to rescue the Flotilla. "To guarantee assistance to the Italian citizens on the Flotilla," Defence Minister Guido Crosetto clarified in a note, "tonight I authorised the immediate intervention of the Navy's multirole frigate Fasan, which was sailing north of Crete as part of Operation Mare Sicuro. The frigate is already heading towards the area for possible rescue activities'. The minister explained that he assessed the decision in consultation with the Prime Minister. And he specified: 'The Israeli military attaché in Italy, our ambassador and the military attaché in Tel Aviv and the Farnesina crisis unit have been informed'.

Nave Virginio Fasan (F 591) is the second of the FREMM (European Multi-Mission Frigate) class frigates and the first in ASW (Anti Submarine Warfare) configuration; the unit, built at Fincantieri's Riva Trigoso shipyard, was launched on 31 March 2012 and subsequently transported to the Muggiano shipyard for the completion of outfitting and testing. Nave Virginio Fasan was delivered to the Navy on 19 December 2013. The ship is currently based in the port of La Spezia and is under the command of the 1st Naval Division.

Another unit of the same name, again an anti-submarine frigate type, has previously served in the Navy. The first Virginio Fasan was built at the Navalmeccanica shipyard in Castellamare di Stabia. The frigate, launched on 9 October 1960, was delivered to the Navy on 10 October 1962. At 94 metres long and 1,526 tons displacement, she could reach a speed of 26 knots. The armament consisted of three 76/62 MMI cannons, an anti-submarine bomb launcher and six torpedo launchers arranged on two triline rigs; propulsion was based on diesel engines. The frigate Virginio Fasan (F 594) belonged to the Luigi Rizzo class; the units of this class were the first escort ships in the world to have anti-submarine helicopter embarkation and shelter facilities. This peculiarity also led to modifications to extend the flight deck during the frigate's lifetime. In addition to the name, the two Virginio Fasan also share the number of crew on board (167); the high level of automation of the embarked equipment made it possible to maintain such a small crew in the modern Virginio Fasan, despite being 50 metres longer and 5000 tonnes heavier than the first Virginio Fasan.

The crest is common to all FREMM class units; it represents a three-quarter image of the ship's profile to highlight the sensors, the new artillery with which the FREMMs are equipped (a real revolution compared to the past) and the stealth features, already present on the Commander class patrol vessels. On the blue background, the unit's motto and its side number (F 591) are clearly visible.