An Italian corvette joins Atalanta
(B2) The Italian corvette ITS Comandante Bettica (P 492) has hoisted the European flag and is en route to Operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, after taking part in the international exhibition IDEX 2009 (International Defense Exhibition) in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates ), made a technical stop in Salalah, in the Sultanate of Oman and participated in joint maneuvers with the Navy of Oman. It should thus join the European force, currently made up of several ships from 5 Member States: Greece, Spain, France, Germany, United Kingdom). Duration of mission: month of March. This will make it possible to join the statements.
This corvette is one of the most recent ships (along with the FREMM frigates) of the Italian Navy (2003). Equipped with around 70 crewmen, it is the typical instrument of control (or protection) of the merchant navy as well as rescue at sea. According to the Italian Navy, the unit is designed for operational activity " medium distance" lasting approximately 10 consecutive days without restocking. It is armed with an Oto-Breda 76/62 cannon and two Oerlikon KBA 25/80 machine guns which "guarantees speed and precision of fire". It can board an NH90 or Bell Agusta AB212 type helicopter.
She is placed under the command of the captaine of frigate Lorenzo Agnarelli. Born in Genoa on November 9, 1968, Agnarelli studied at the Naval Academy of Livorno from 1987 to 1991. He served on the Nave Ardito (1992-1996), then on the Corvette Minerva (1997-1999). After completing the naval school of command, he took command of the auxiliary water supply ship Tirso (1998-1999), used for the supply of small islands, then the coastal surveillance patrol boats Orione and Sirio interspersed with a period as second officer on the corvette Urania, then on the frigate Zeffiro. He is married and has two children.
For the record: Ener Bettica - who gave his name to the corvette - was an Italian naval commander killed in action off Sardinia in 1942... by the Royal Navy, after fierce fighting, says the legend.
(photo: Italian Navy)
(NGV)
