“I want ships able to serve the whole Mediterranean, that is able to carry the most powerful artillery, top speed, capable to contain a great deal of fuel”
Camillo Benso Count of Cavour, 17th March 1861

The Combat flag has been consigned to the “Cavour”, the first real Italian aircraft carrier and new mother ship of the Italian Navy fleet. The delivery was held in the presence of the President of the Italian Republic Giorgio Napolitano, on the 10th of last June in Civitavecchia, during the Italian Navy Day, and carried out by Sergio Chiamparino, Mayor of Tourin, the town that gave birth to the famous statesman Cavour. The Italian Defence Minister, Ignazio La Russa, and the Italian Navy Chief of Staff, Fleet Admiral Paolo La Rosa were also attending the ceremony.
This ship, with a displacement of 27,100 tons, is the most powerful non-nuclear ship in the world and was built by Fincantieri with the highest level of excellence and innovation. The history of the “Cavour” began in November 2000 with the contract signature. In June 2001, in Riva Trigoso, the cut of the first steel. In July 2004 the launch and transfer to Muggiano for the outfitting. In March 2008 the handover to the Italian Navy. The ship was recently completed with the combat system equipment.
The “Cavour” is expected to attend not only to military operations but also to humanitarian actions. This ship can actually be defined as the result of Fincantieri valuable experience in the construction of high-technology complex ships. Minister La Russa pointed out that “The Cavour embodies the fulfilment of an ambitious and unique project both for Italy and for the Italian Navy: this aircraft carrier is the outcome of the expertise and commitment of the Italian shipbuilders, in particular of Fincantieri, and is able to meet the requirements of the national Navy both for inter-force and international operations”.