Gazzana (S525) - Marina Militare

Classe Sauro - IV series

Clarior ex tenebris

Il battelloLa storiaScheda TecnicaGalleria

From mid-1990s to the present-day, submarine Gazzana has conducted a wide range of operational, training and technical-experimental activities.

The homeland activities are focused on the surveillance of the Wider Mediterranean, counter terrorism and narcotics trafficking, hydrocarbon pollution control, fight against illegal immigration and ASuW. At international level, submarine Gazzana has easily integrated in the air naval assets of the Atlantic Alliance, highlighting her "early warning" capabilities.

Main Operations:

Immigration control in the Sicily Channel (Operation Tiziano 2011);

Support to NATO forces deployed off Libya (Operation Unified Protector 2011);
Surveillance of the Wider Mediterranean (2003-2012).

Besides the operational activities, submarine Gazzana took part in a number of complex exercises performing a full spectrum of roles: Submarine Killer, ASuW, Intelligence, support to special operations and submarine rescue:

Pegaso, Mare Aperto, Amphex and Tirnav cycles with the Naval fleet air and naval assets;
Smeresx cycles with the Operational Divers Team within the submarine rescue interventions;
Special Operations with the Operational Raiders Team and the San Marco Brigade personnel;
The NATO-led Dog Fish, Proud Manta, Destined Glory, Loyal Midas, Noble Mariner, Noble Manta, Dynamic Guard;
Ioniex conducted with the Russian Navy.

The Sauro-Class submarine (S525), is the second ITN boat named after World War II heroic submarine commander Gianfranco Gazzana Priaroggia; the first ITN boat to bear this name was the ex USA USS Volador oceanic submarine.

Submarine Gianfranco Gazzana Priaroggia is the second of a pair of boats making up the Sauro Class IV Series. Built at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, the vessel employs innovative construction concepts and technologies.

Laid down on November 12, 1992, the vessel was launched on June 26, 1993 and commissioned on April 12, 1995. On May 4, 1993 the vessel received the battle flag together with the ensign, during a solemn ceremony held in Naples.

Compared to the previous Sauro Class series, the present vessel has been extended in length to allow a different utilization and distribution of the interior spaces and to improve her operational capabilities and living conditions aboard.

From an operational point of view, the SSK conventional submarine Gazzana is fully capable of performing control and defense tasks in the maritime areas of strategic importance to the Italian Navy.

The Crest shows the silhouette of the submarine while sailing among blue waves. The boat’s motto: “CLARIOR EX TENEBRIS” brighter ([I shine] out of darkness) is inscribed in a yellow scroll in the foreground.

Equally spaced on the four corners of the crest, four symbols stand for the submarine’s main features. On the left side is the coat of arms of the GAZZANA-PRIAROGGIA family, from Novi Ligure.

The “A”, shown on the right stands for “Atlantic”, and is a tribute to Commander Gianfranco Gazzana-Priaroggia for his successful missions during WWII as Commanding Officer of submarine “LEONARDO DA VINCI”. On May 23, 1943, while returning to Bordeaux from her last patrol in the Atlantic, the submarine was sunken by the destroyer HMS Active and the frigate HMS Ness, west of Vigo (Spain), and lost with all hands. Commander Gazzana Priaroggia was posthumously awarded the Italian Gold Medal of Military Valor.

On the top is set the towered crown with rostra symbolizing the Italian Navy, while in the lower part is the vessel’s name.

Dislocamento in superficie:	1,683 tons
Dislocamento in Immersione:	1,862 tons
Lunghezza:	66.36 m
Larghezza:	6.83 m
Apparato di propulsione:	Diesel-electric; 3 Fincantieri GMT 210.16 SM diesels; 3,672 hp (m) (2.7 MW) sustained; 3 generators; 2.16 MW; 1 motor; 3,128 hp(m) (2.3 MW); 1 shaft
Velocità in superficie:	11 knots surfaced
Velocità immersione:	20 knots
Armamento:	6-21 in ( 533 nm) bow tubes; 12 Whitehead A 184 Mod 3; dual purpose; wire-guided; active/passive homing to 25 km (13.7 n miles) at 24 kt; 17 km (9.2 n miles) at 38 kt; warhead 250 kh. Swim-out discharge
Equipaggio:	51 personnel

Progetto armonizzato con gli obiettivi del Piano Nazionale Ripresa Resilienza (PNRR)

Misura PNRR: M1C1-S.1.6.4. Digitalizzazione del Ministero della Difesa (CUP D81B20001980006)