Giussano-class Light Cruiser

Ships in class: 4

The Giussanos were the first subclass of the Condottieri class of light cruisers, built for the Regia Marina in response to the the Le Fantasque class of Contre-Torpilleurs. These cruisers were intended to be able to force engagements with and destroy contre-torpilleurs. As part of this requirement, armoring on these ships was essentially nonexistent and their speed was their only protection. All four ships in class would be lost in action due to torpedo strikes. Armed principally with eight 152mm/53 guns in four paired mountings and sporting two twin torpedo launchers, the Giussanos were intended to have the equivalent throw weight of the British Leanders.