The Fincantieri vessels are competing against designs from BAE Systems and Navantia to secure the building contract of nine frigates for the Australian navy.

Minister for Defence Industry Christoper Pyne toured the Italian built ITS Carabiniere on Sunday, 5 February and highlighted the advantages and disadvantages of the designs competing for the $35 billion contract.

"One of the advantages for this company is this vessel has been built, it is already in operation," he said.

"One of the disadvantages is that the company doesn't operate here.

"The weaponry of course will be United States' weaponry. That will be integrated into the winning vessel."

Minister Pyne said the government is committed to ensuring a majority of the work on the vessels will be done in South Australia and Australia.

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“The nine frigates will start construction in Adelaide in 2020, creating more than 2,000 jobs in South Australia and bringing economic benefits that will spread across the nation for decades to come,” Minister Pyne said.

“The ships are part of the national shipbuilding endeavour that will see over $88 billion invested in up to 54 vessels over the coming decades.

“The Australian government, through this national shipbuilding endeavour, is securing Australia’s long-term national security and will deliver the capability required by our Navy for years to come.”

The ITS Carabiniere is open to the public and will be docked at Outer Harbor for five days before moving on to Melbourne and Sydney.

As part of the visit, Fincantieri will host a defence industry forum on Thursday.