On 22 November 2000, a contract was drawn up between Fincantieri and the Italian Ministry of Naval Defence to supply an aircraft carrier vessel, known as the Nuova Unita Maggiore (NUM) or 'New Major Vessel', to the Italian Navy.

The Cavour was launched in July 2004 and began sea trials in 2006. The aircraft carrier will be commissioned in December 2007 and enter service in May 2008.