The Italian amphibious assault ship "Trieste". According to foreign media reports, the Italian Navy's multifunctional amphibious assault ship "Trieste" has recently entered service, becoming the largest surface vessel equipped by the Italian Navy since the end of World War II. This move will enhance the strategic delivery capability of the Italian Navy. The construction of the amphibious assault ship "Trieste" was planned earlier. In 2015, the Italian government signed a shipbuilding contract worth 1.1 billion euros (approximately 1.15 billion US dollars) with the Italian Fincantieri Group; In May 2019, the amphibious assault ship "Trieste" was launched and subsequently underwent a series of testing adjustments. After its official commissioning, the ship will replace the retired "Garibaldi" aircraft carrier on October 1st this year. The Garibaldi is the first aircraft carrier of the Italian Navy, which has been in service for nearly 40 years. Although the "Trieste" is an amphibious assault ship, its size is even larger than the Italian Navy's current aircraft carrier "Cavour". The captain is 245 meters long, 36 meters wide, with a draft of 7.2 meters, a standard displacement of 25000 tons, a full load displacement of 38000 tons, and a maximum speed of 25 knots. Due to the Italian Navy's requirement for increased amphibious force projection, the "Trieste" amphibious assault ship was designed to perform a variety of complex tasks, including amphibious and aerial operations, providing humanitarian assistance, and serving as a joint command platform. The ship's structural design, weapons and equipment have distinct characteristics. Adopting a dual island structure. The "Trieste" amphibious assault ship has a deck length of 230 meters and a width of 36 meters. It adopts a dual island structure, which can perform tasks in a decentralized manner, optimize ship functions, and improve operational efficiency and flexibility. There are 9 carrier based aircraft takeoff and landing points and 2 large platform elevators with a load capacity of 42 tons on the deck of the ship. It can not only take off and land EH-101 anti submarine helicopters, CH-53 transport helicopters, V-22 "Osprey" tiltrotor aircraft, but also F-35B fighter jets and drones. It is reported that Italy mentioned in its "2024-2026 Defense Plan" released in November this year that it will spend $7.8 billion to purchase 25 additional F-35 fighter jets, increasing the total number of Italian F-35 fighter jets to 115. Equipped with advanced attack and defense systems. The "Trieste" amphibious assault ship is equipped with two 8-unit "Silva" A50 vertical launch systems, capable of launching 16 "Aster" air defense missiles or 32 CAMM-ER air defense missiles, as well as three 25mm machine guns, three 76mm super rapid fire guns, and six 12.7mm machine guns. At the same time, the ship is equipped with X-band and C-band active phased array radar, as well as L-band active phased array radar that can detect ballistic missiles. In addition, the ship is equipped with a decoy launch system and a long-range acoustic countermeasure system, which can enhance the defense capabilities of the Italian Navy. Strong shipping capability. Under the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship "Trieste", there is a hangar with an area of over 3300 square meters and a garage with an area of over 1200 square meters, which can be converted according to mission requirements. The stern dock below the hangar covers an area of 750 square meters and can accommodate four LCM-1E amphibious landing craft. The ship also has over 1000 beds and can accommodate more than 400 crew members and 600 soldiers. In addition, the ship is equipped with an operating room, radiology department, laboratory, dental clinic, and nearly 30 beds, which can be used as a medical ship in emergency situations. (New Society)