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Italian Navy's guided missile destroyer ITS Caio Duilio on a port visit in Klaipėda

Italian Navy's guided missile destroyer ITS Caio Duilio on a port visit in Klaipėda

On July 2–6 ITS Caio Duilio guided missile destroyer of the Italian Navy is conducting a friendly visit to Klaipėda Seaport to extend congratulations to the Lithuanian Navy on the 31th anniversary. The crew will also attend the feast in Žemaičių Kalvarija and join football and basketball matches against Lithuanian Navy teams.

On July 3 Commanding Officer Navy Capt. Davide Da Pozzo had a meeting with Lithuanian Navy Commander Navy Capt. Giedrius Premeneckas on the navy-level cooperation dating back to before World War II. The interwar Republic of Lithuania delegated cadets Vytautas Kuizinas and Povilas Labanauskas to study at the Italian Naval Academy in Leghorn in 1928-1931, they later served aboard Lithuania’s first warship LNS Prezidentas Smetona. Nowadays, the cooperation between the Lithuanian and the Italian Navies intensifies quickly, just this June Italian Marines rehearsed naval landing on the beach of Nemirseta at Exercise Storm Strike 2023.

It is the second visit ITS Caio Duilio has conducted to Klaipėda with a ten year gap since November 2013. The ship currently sails with the Standing NATO Maritime Group in its area of responsibility in Northern European waters.

ITS Caio Duilio guided missile destroyer is a multi-role warship with a focus on anti-aircraft warfare capabilities, short and mid-range defensive capability, effective in surface and anti-submarine combat. The ship can accommodate and carry EH 101 or SH90 helicopters.

The ship sails at maximum speed of up to 18 knots per hour propelled by two 5800 AG diesel engines, or at 29 knots per hour propelled by two 27500 AG gas turbines. Commissioned to served with the Italian Navy in 2009, the technologically advanced vessel is exceptional because of its environment-friendly diesel propulsion. Power generators aboard can create up to 6400 kW which is the amount needed by a small approx. 6500 resident town.

Photo and info credits: Lithuanian Navy.