TARANTO, Italy - The Italian Navy fleet flagship, the Giuseppe Garibaldi, is approaching the end of her refit more than four months ahead of schedule. The EUR11 million refit work began on October 14, 2013, with the idea of converting the ship from light aircraft carrier to the amphibious assault role. The aircraft carrier niche for the Italian Navy is now being filled by the larger Conte di Cavour. Though work on the Garibaldi had been expected to wrap up around March 15, 2015, it will instead reach completion on November 10 following a period of sea trials.
Refit work on the Garibaldi covered nearly all the ship's systems and installations. The gas turbines were replaced, the flight deck was resurfaced, the hull was painted, and all other systems ranging from flight operations support to combat systems were either replaced or modernized. The upgrade will ensure the Garibaldi's operational life is extended out another 7-8 years.