The design was originally conceived as an enlarged version of the Canopo class frigates. The design was however changed radically with a CODOG machinery suite comprising gas turbines and diesels. These ships introduced the use of ship based helicopters and variable depth sonar into the Italian Navy.
The ships underwent significant modernisation in the 1980s with the fitting of new sonar and electronic warfare equipment.
Initially four ships were planned to be ordered in 1959 to 1961. These ships were to be named Circe, Climene, Perseo and Polluce in honour of the Second World War-era Spica class torpedo boats of those names. These ships were postponed while the designs were updated and two ships were ordered in 1962. Both vessels were built by CNR in Riva Trigoso and named after types of soldiers and specifically after two Second World War-era Soldati class destroyers.
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Displacement: | Light: 2,000 tonnes (2,000 long tons; 2,200 short tons) Full load: 2,700 t (2,700 long tons; 3,000 short tons) |
| Length: | 113.3 m (371 ft 9 in) |
| Beam: | 13.1 m (43 ft 0 in) |
| Draught: | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2-shaft CODOG system
|
| Speed: | 29 knots (54 km/h; 33 mph) with gas turbines 24 kn (44 km/h; 28 mph) with diesels only |
| Range: | 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) at 18 kn (33 km/h; 21 mph) (diesels) |
| Complement: | 263 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare and decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 2 AB-212ASW helicopters |
| Aviation facilities: |
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