ROME – The Italian Navy has announced that the ITS Carlo Margottini, a European multi-mission frigate (FREMM), reached the Pakistani port of Karachi, where she will be stationed until 10 March.

 The ship Commanding Officer, Commander Giuseppe Lai, will discuss the naval campaign in progress at 14.30 current local time (10.30 in Italy), on 9 March, before the ship sets off again the following day. Having previously stopped in Souda and Djibouti, she will be directed to Doha (Qatar) in order to take part in the 5th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exposition & Conference (DIMDEX 2018) from 12 to 14 March.

 Whilst ensuring presence and surveillance, with the intention of guarding the sea lines of communication in the Italian interest, the ITS Margottini has been deployed in Pakistan as part of the activities carried out by Italian Navy alongside allies for the purpose of multinational cooperation and dialogue among countries. Her presence in several foreign nations aims to initiate and reinforce relationships with potential partners, with whom Italy shares significant political, diplomatic, and economic relations, regarding the institutional duties of the Italian Navy.

 The ITS Margottini, described as the “jewel of Italian shipbuilding”, boasts the most up-to-date technology. She was transferred to the Italian Navy on 27 Feb 2014 in ASW version. All Italian frigates feature the SAAM Aster 15 missile system for air-defence capability as well as Teseo Mk2 (export version: Otomat Mk2) sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, both of which are provided by MBDA. ITS Margottini is the third of Italy’s six multi-mission frigates with a seventh currently under construction.

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