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The "Freccia" class are good examples of destroyers (aka "cacciatorpediniere") for the Italian Regia Marina. Four were built under the 1927 budget, and completed in early 1932: Dardo, Freccia, Saetta and Strale.

Length 342', beam 33.5', displacement 1764 tons.

Speed 34 kts; range 3000 nm at 15 kts, 3600 nm at 12 kts; 2 shafts on oil-fired steam turbines.

Armament: four 130mm in two wrap-around deck mounts; one quad 37mm AA gun; six 13.7mm MG on pedestal mounts; two triple-torpedo launchers; 60 mines, sonar and depth charge launchers.

Armor: 20mm on gunshields and barbette, 70mm on conning tower.

Crew: 135 - 176

The Italian advantage is longer-range, faster-firing guns, and generally advanced technology. Their disadvantage is a strategic (command-level) reluctance to engage the enemy or to take casualties.