Its Federico Martinengo is the seventh Unit of the FREMM Italo-French programme, and the third in GP (General Purpose) version.
Identified by the hull number F596, the unit was built in the Fincantieri shipyard in Riva Trigoso. Outfitting was then completed in Muggiano shipyard's floating dock (La Spezia).
This is the first unit of the Italian Navy to bear the name of Rear Admiral Federico Martinengo, the hero decorated with the gold medal for military value.
Thanks to her platform and combat system, the ship is suitable for multimission deployment:

• key role in contributing to maritime defence and security;
• contribution to the Sea Control of basins of national interest, ensuring presence, surveillance and contribution to MSA (Maritime Situational Awareness);
• power projection on and from the sea: NGFS (Naval Gun Fire Support), support to Special Forces Operational Detachment, NEO (noncombatant evacuation operations), law enforcement operations;
• escort for Capital Ships and High Value Units (merchant vessels).
  

The ship’s design has adopted innovation and flexibility concepts, which enable ITS Martinengo to be deployed for the conduct of a wide range of activities:

• telemedicine interventions;
• helicopter evacuation of personnel;
• drinking water supply;
• hot meal preparation; 
• electric power delivery configuration
  

ITS Martinengo - which was delivered to the Italian Navy on 24 April 2018 - is based in La Spezia within the First Naval Division (COMDINAV UNO).
Next June – July 2018, the ship will conduct her naval training session preliminary to joining the Naval Fleet (TIRNAV).

ITS Martinengo’s crest – which maintains the tradition of the FREMM Class units named after the Italian Navy officers decorated with golden medals – features the three-quarter profile of the ship, highlighting sensors, guns, armament and the hull’s typical “stealth” design. The unit’s motto, “Sufficit Animus” (Boldness is enough) and the hull number, F 596, can be read in the upper part, with the bust of Admiral Federico Martinengo standing out against the blue ground. The crest is surmounted by the towered and rostral crown, emblem of the Italian Navy.

The origins of the motto “Sufficit Animus” are to be found in the reflections of the philosopher Seneca, who, in his essay “De beneficiis”, Book II, Chapter 31, wrote: “When we address all things to our animus, everything is possible; and even when I am not allowed to make use of piety, faith, justice and any perfect virtue, man may be grateful to his will. Anyone who ever sets himself a goal and achieves it, reaps the fruits of his labour. What is the aim of the person who does a favour? Giving gives pleasure”.

“Sufficit Animus” was the motto of the first Torpedo Bomber Squadron, whose emblem featured a ship's ram sustained by the wings of an eagle.

This motto was also adopted by Gabriele D’Annunzio, when the poet did not give up the idea of flying after the flying accident (a violent splashdown in the waters off Grado), in January 1916, in which he lost his right eye. In honour of the hero, this motto was therefore given to the unit.

The ship was launched by Mrs Mina De Caro, widow of Navy Captain Giuseppe Porcelli.