San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock

San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock 2

Basic information

Type:

Amphibious warfare ship

Operators:

Italian Navy (Marina Militare)

Qatari Emiri Navy

Algerian National Navy

Country of build:

Italy

Builder:

Fincantieri

Planned:

Completed:

In service:

1988 – present (36 years)

Ship measurements

Displacement:

8,000 t

Length:

133 m

Beam:

20.5 m

Draft:

5.3 m

Machine

Propulsion:

2 * diesel engines Grandi Motori Trieste GMT A 420.12, 6,264 kW (8,400 hp) each
4 * diesel engine generators Grandi Motori Trieste GMT B230.6, 770 kW (1,030 hp) each

Speed:

21 knots

Range:

7,500 nautical miles (13,900 km; 8,600 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)

Personnel

Complement:

180

Embarked units:

350

Combat assets

Cargo capacity:

30 medium tanks or 36 tracked armoured vehicles

Boats & landing craft:

3 * LCM62-class LCM
3 * MTP96-class LCVP
1 * patrol craft

Electronics:

SMA MM/SPQ 702 search radar
GEM Elettronica navigation radar: MM/SPN-748 then MM/SPN-753(V)9 and now dual band radar (X/Ka) MM/SPN-760(V)1
Selex ES RTN-10X fire control radar
Elettronica SpA INS-3 ECM/ESM suite

Armament:

1 * Otobreda 76 mm gun (removed from San Giorgio and San Marco to increase flight deck space)
2 * OTO Melara — Oerlikon KBA 25/80 mm guns

Aircraft:

3 * AW-101 or 5 * Agusta Bell AB-212 helicopters or 18 SH90A

The San Giorgio class are amphibious transport docks (LPD) built by Fincantieri for the Italian Navy. These ships can carry a battalion of troops, and up to 36 armored vehicles. The stern floodable dock can accommodate three landing craft. The ships are based at the Brindisi naval base on the Adriatic coast.

San Giorgio and San Marco have been extensively modified into landing helicopter docks. They accommodate a full-length flight deck with four landing spots. San Giusto, the third vessel, has not been modified since construction, however featured an improved design, and is normally employed as a training ship.

The two oldest vessels of this class are scheduled for replacement. The Italian Navy has received the go-ahead to procure two 21,000/24,000-ton 190-metre (620 ft) long amphibious assault ships (landing helicopter dock), with the possibility of a third ship, configured with extensive aviation facilities (landing helicopter assault).

In July 2011 the Algerian Navy placed an order with Fincantieri for an improved version of the San Giorgio class amphibious transport ships classified as Bâtiment de Débarquement et de Soutien Logistique (BDSL). On 8 January 2014 the BDSL was launched on a barge at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Levante.

Kalaat Béni Abbès is fitted with Aster 15 behind the island superstructure, with one OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid at the bow and with two 25 mm remote weapon stations.

The BDSL can accommodate three landing craft mechanized, three small landing craft vehicle personnel, one large landing craft personnel and two semi-rigid boats. The hangar can accommodate up to 15 armoured vehicles.

The crew will consist of 150 sailors while the ship may accommodate a landing force of 440 soldiers.