The " Maestrale " s have half the OTOMATs of the " Lupo " class but twice as many torpedo launchers ( with the introduction of the new heavy torpedoes ), twice the helicopters, and twice the sonars, having also a VDS . This, coupled with heavy torpedoes and two helicopters, improved dramatically the ASW capabilities.
22.
Participating in the 2011 military intervention in Libya after the transfer of authority to NATO and the decision to participate in strike air-ground operations, the Italian government assigned under NATO command four Italian Navy AV-8B plus ( from Garibaldi ) in addition to Italian air force aircraft . As of 24 March, the Italian Navy was engaged in Operation Unified Protector with the light aircraft carrier " Garibaldi ", the " Maestrale "-class frigate and the auxiliary ship.
