History
Though the Andrea Doria class class helicopter cruisers proved a useful addition to the fleet, it was judged that a larger ship was necessary. Such a vessel would be able operate a larger airwing and provide helicopter support in bad weather conditions. These considerations led to the Vittorio Veneto class, of which two ships were originally planned, though only one was actually built.
The first (and only) ship was laid down on July 10, 1965 and launched on July 12, 1969 at the Italcantieri plant of Castellammare di Stabia. It entered in service in the October of the same year, in the naval base of Taranto. Vittorio Veneto remained the flagship of the Marina Militare until the aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi was commissioned in 1985.
The second ship of this class, the Italia, was cancelled.
Read more about this topic: Italian Cruiser Vittorio Veneto (550)
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